Liquid discharge system

Abstract

To properly and easily determine a waveform of a driving signal for driving a piezoelectric element.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge system SYS comprises a liquid discharge head 1, a transmission control part 42 and a reception control part 44. The liquid discharge head 1 has: a nozzle N; a piezoelectric element PZ that is supplied with a driving signal COM to be driven; a vibration plate 14 that is vibrated by driving the piezoelectric element PZ; a pressure chamber CV which is filled with ink and to which pressure for making the nozzle N discharge ink is applied by vibration of the vibration plate 14; and a detection circuit 19 that detects residual vibrations of the vibration plate 14 after the piezoelectric element PZ is driven. The transmission control part 42 transmits residual vibration information Vinf showing the residual vibrations detected by the detection circuit 19 to a server 200. The reception control part 44 receives, form the server 200, adjustment information Ainf for adjusting a waveform of the driving signal COM, which is generated based on the residual vibrations shown by the residual vibration information Vinf.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection system. [Background technology]

[0002] Liquid ejection devices are known that print images by ejecting liquid, such as ink, from nozzles using piezoelectric elements. For example, a liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid from a pressure chamber through a nozzle by vibrating a diaphragm that constitutes part of the pressure chamber using a piezoelectric element. Here, parameters related to ink behavior, such as the natural vibration period of the pressure chamber, are known as parameters used to determine the waveform of a drive signal that drives the piezoelectric element. Note that the natural vibration period of the pressure chamber is determined by, for example, the shape of the pressure chamber and varies from liquid ejection head to liquid ejection head due to assembly accuracy and dimensional accuracy of components during liquid ejection head manufacturing. Variations in the natural vibration period of the pressure chamber cause variations in liquid ejection characteristics. For example, in a printhead manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, the natural vibration period of each assembled printhead is measured and the printhead is classified into one of several ranks based on the measured natural vibration period. The rank of the natural vibration period associated with the printhead is used to determine, for example, the waveform of a drive signal that drives the piezoelectric element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-351703 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, parameters related to ink behavior, such as the natural vibration period of a pressure chamber, vary due to manufacturing variations in the liquid ejection head, and also change depending on the conditions under which the liquid ejection head is used. For example, parameters related to ink behavior change depending on ink conditions, such as the type of ink. Consider a business model in which a head manufacturer that manufactures liquid ejection heads sells the liquid ejection heads to printing device manufacturers, who then assemble the liquid ejection devices. In this business model, the conditions under which the liquid ejection head is used, such as ink conditions, are often determined by the printing device manufacturer, not the head manufacturer. If the head manufacturer also assembles the liquid ejection device, the head manufacturer also determines the conditions of use, allowing the natural vibration period to be determined. In contrast, in the above-mentioned business model, there is a risk that the head manufacturer will not be able to properly determine the natural vibration period when it manufactures and sells the liquid ejection head. In such a case, it is difficult for the head manufacturer to determine an appropriate drive signal waveform corresponding to the natural vibration period. Therefore, in the above-mentioned business model, the printing device manufacturer must determine the appropriate drive signal waveform corresponding to the natural vibration period, which could place an excessive burden on the printing device manufacturer. For this reason, in the above-mentioned business model, it is desirable to be able to appropriately and easily determine the waveform of the drive signal that drives the piezoelectric element. Incidentally, even if the manufacturer of the liquid ejection device and the manufacturer of the liquid ejection head share the same business model, it is desirable, albeit to a relatively small extent. It is conceivable that a user may independently set usage conditions that differ from those previously assumed by the manufacturer of the liquid ejection head or liquid ejection device, and in such cases, similar problems arise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the liquid ejection system of the present invention comprises a liquid ejection head, a transmission control unit, and a reception control unit, wherein the liquid ejection head has a nozzle, a piezoelectric element that is driven by a drive signal supplied thereto, a vibration plate that vibrates when the piezoelectric element is driven, a pressure chamber that is filled with liquid and to which pressure for ejecting liquid from the nozzle is applied by the vibration of the vibration plate, and a detection unit that detects residual vibration of the vibration plate after the piezoelectric element is driven, and the transmission control unit transmits residual vibration information indicating the residual vibration detected by the detection unit to a server, and the reception control unit receives adjustment information from the server that is generated based on the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information and is used to adjust the waveform of the drive signal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a liquid ejection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a server configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a liquid ejection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid ejection head. [Figure 7] 10 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of the liquid ejection device in a unit period. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining adjustment information for adjusting the waveform of a drive signal. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of a residual vibration signal. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining differences in waveforms of residual vibration signals depending on usage conditions of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the liquid ejection system when adjusting the waveform of a drive signal. [Figure 12]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of the operation of the liquid ejection system when adjusting the waveform of the drive signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in each drawing, the dimensions and scale of each part are appropriately different from those of the actual parts. Furthermore, since the embodiments described below are preferred examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are applied, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited.

[0008] [1. Embodiment] First, an overview of the liquid ejection system SYS according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, a case will be taken as an example in which the liquid ejection device 100 included in the liquid ejection system SYS is an inkjet printer that ejects ink onto a medium PP to form an image. In this embodiment, the medium PP will be assumed to be recording paper shown in Fig. 3, which will be described later.

[0009] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a liquid ejection system SYS according to an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid ejection system SYS includes, for example, a liquid ejection device 100, a display device 120, and a server 200 communicably connected to the liquid ejection device 100. Note that the liquid ejection system SYS may be defined without including either or both of the display device 120 and the server 200.

[0010] Print data IMG indicating an image to be formed by the liquid ejection device 100 is supplied from a host computer such as a personal computer or a digital camera to the liquid ejection device 100. The liquid ejection device 100 executes a printing process to form, on a medium PP, an image indicated by the print data IMG supplied from the host computer.

[0011] The liquid ejection device 100 includes a liquid ejection head 1 having an ejection section D including nozzles N that eject ink, a drive signal generation unit 2 that generates multiple drive signals COM for driving the ejection section D, and a generation circuit 3 that generates residual vibration information Vinf (described later). The nozzles N will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a control unit 4 that controls each section of the liquid ejection device 100, a storage unit 5 that stores various information such as print data IMG and a control program PG1 for the liquid ejection device 100, and a communication unit 6 for communicating with other devices. The liquid ejection device 100 also includes a maintenance unit 7 that performs maintenance processing for the liquid ejection head 1, a medium transport mechanism 8 that transports a medium PP, a carriage transport mechanism 9 that reciprocates a carriage 91, and an ink container CT that stores ink. The carriage 91 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3. Ink is an example of a "liquid."

[0012] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the liquid ejection head 1 and the drive signal generation unit 2 correspond to each other, and that the liquid ejection head 1 and the generation circuit 3 correspond to each other. For example, the liquid ejection device 100 may have a plurality of liquid ejection heads 1, a plurality of drive signal generation units 2, and a plurality of generation circuits 3. In this case, for example, the plurality of drive signal generation units 2 correspond to the plurality of liquid ejection heads 1 one-to-one, and the plurality of generation circuits 3 correspond to the plurality of liquid ejection heads 1 one-to-one. Alternatively, the liquid ejection device 100 may have one liquid ejection head 1, one drive signal generation unit 2 corresponding to the liquid ejection head 1, and one generation circuit 3 corresponding to the liquid ejection head 1.

[0013] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the liquid ejection device 100 has four liquid ejection heads 1 corresponding to four types of ink: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. That is, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the liquid ejection device 100 has four liquid ejection heads 1, four drive signal generation units 2, and four generation circuits 3. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description may focus on one of the four liquid ejection heads 1 and one drive signal generation unit 2 corresponding to that one liquid ejection head 1, as exemplified in FIG.

[0014] First, before describing the liquid ejection head 1, the control unit 4, the drive signal generating unit 2, the storage unit 5, and the communication unit 6 will be described.

[0015] The control unit 4 is configured to include one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units). Note that the control unit 4 may be configured to include a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) instead of or in addition to a CPU. Also, for example, the control unit 4 operates in accordance with a control program PG1 stored in the storage unit 5 to generate signals for controlling the operation of each part of the liquid ejection device 100, such as a print signal SI and a waveform designation signal dCOM.

[0016] Here, the waveform designation signal dCOM is a digital signal that defines the waveform of each of the multiple drive signals COM. Furthermore, each drive signal COM is an analog signal for driving a discharge section D. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 (to be described later), it is assumed that the multiple drive signals COM include drive signals COMa and COMb. Furthermore, the print signal SI is a digital signal for designating the type of operation of the discharge section D. Specifically, the print signal SI is a signal that designates whether or not to supply each drive signal COM to the discharge section D, thereby designating the type of operation of the discharge section D.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the control unit 4 operates in accordance with a control program PG1 stored in the storage unit 5, thereby functioning as a processing control unit 40, a transmission control unit 42, and a reception control unit 44. The processing control unit 40 is an example of a "reception unit." The processing control unit 40, the transmission control unit 42, and the reception control unit 44 perform, for example, processing for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COM. For example, the transmission control unit 42 transmits residual vibration information Vinf generated by the generation circuit 3 to the server 200 via the communication unit 6. For example, the reception control unit 44 receives adjustment information Ainf for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COM from the server 200 via the communication unit 6. Details of the operations of the processing control unit 40, the transmission control unit 42, and the reception control unit 44 will be described in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0018] The drive signal generation unit 2 includes, for example, a DAC (Digital Analog Converter), and generates a plurality of drive signals COM based on a waveform designation signal dCOM supplied from the control unit 4. For example, each of the plurality of drive signals COM generated by the drive signal generation unit 2 includes a waveform defined by the waveform designation signal dCOM. The drive signal generation unit 2 outputs the plurality of drive signals COM generated based on the waveform designation signal dCOM to a switching circuit 18 included in the liquid ejection head 1. Note that the waveform defined by the waveform designation signal dCOM is, for example, a waveform adjusted based on adjustment information Ainf.

[0019] The storage unit 5 includes one or both of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a PROM (Programmable ROM). The storage unit 5 may be included in the control unit 4.

[0020] The communication unit 6 is hardware for communicating with other devices such as the server 200. For example, the communication unit 6 communicates with the server 200 via a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet under the control of the control unit 4. The communication unit 6 is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0021] The liquid ejection head 1 includes a switching circuit 18, a recording head 10, and a detection circuit 19. The detection circuit 19 is an example of a "detection section."

[0022] The print head 10 has M ejection sections D. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the value M is an even number equal to or greater than 2. Hereinafter, the m-th ejection section D of the M ejection sections D provided in the print head 10 may be referred to as ejection section D[m]. Here, the variable m is a natural number that satisfies "1≦m≦M." Furthermore, hereinafter, when a component or signal of the liquid ejection device 100 corresponds to a ejection section D[m] of the M ejection sections D, the subscript [m] may be added to the symbol representing the component or signal.

[0023] The switching circuit 18 switches whether to supply each drive signal COM to the discharge section D[m] based on the print signal SI. Note that, hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 6 and other figures, the drive signal COM supplied to the discharge section D[m] among the multiple drive signals COM may be referred to as an individual drive signal Vin[m]. The switching circuit 18 also switches whether to electrically connect the discharge section D[m] to the detection circuit 19 based on the print signal SI. When the discharge section D[m] is electrically connected to the detection circuit 19, for example, a detection signal Vout[m] detected from the discharge section D[m] is supplied to the detection circuit 19 via the switching circuit 18. The detection signal Vout[m] is, for example, an analog signal indicating the waveform of residual vibration, which is vibration remaining in the discharge section D[m] after the discharge section D[m] is driven by the individual drive signal Vin[m]. Specifically, for example, the detection signal Vout[m] indicates the waveform of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14 after the piezoelectric element PZ[m] is driven. The piezoelectric element PZ and the diaphragm 14 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0024] The detection circuit 19 generates the residual vibration signal Vd[m] based on the detection signal Vout[m]. For example, the detection circuit 19 amplifies the amplitude of the detection signal Vout[m] or removes noise components contained in the detection signal Vout[m], thereby shaping the detection signal Vout[m] into a waveform suitable for processing in the generation circuit 3. In this way, the residual vibration signal Vd[m] is generated. For example, the detection circuit 19 may be configured to include a negative feedback amplifier for amplifying the detection signal Vout[m], a low-pass filter for attenuating high frequency components of the detection signal Vout[m], and a voltage follower for converting impedance and outputting a low-impedance residual vibration signal Vd[m].

[0025] For example, the residual vibration signal Vd[m] generated based on the detection signal Vout[m] is an analog signal that indicates the waveform of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14 after the piezoelectric element PZ[m] is driven by the individual drive signal Vin[m]. The detection circuit 19 outputs the residual vibration signal Vd[m] generated based on the detection signal Vout[m] to the generation circuit 3. In this way, the detection circuit 19 detects the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14 after the piezoelectric element PZ[m] is driven based on the detection signal Vout[m].

[0026] The generation circuit 3 includes, for example, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) and converts the analog residual vibration signal Vd[m] into a digital signal. For example, the generation circuit 3 generates residual vibration information Vinf by converting the analog residual vibration signal Vd[m] into a digital signal. The residual vibration information Vinf is, for example, a digital signal that indicates the waveform of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14 after the piezoelectric element PZ[m] is driven. The generation circuit 3 outputs the generated residual vibration information Vinf to the control unit 4 by converting the analog residual vibration signal Vd[m] into a digital signal. Note that the generation circuit 3 may be included in the control unit 4. For example, if the control unit 4 includes an ADC, the control unit 4 may function as the generation circuit 3 by operating in accordance with a control program PG1 stored in the storage unit 5.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the maintenance process is performed by the maintenance unit 7. For example, the maintenance unit 7 performs the maintenance process under the control of the control unit 4. The maintenance process includes, for example, a flushing process that discharges ink from the ejection section D, a wiping process that wipes off foreign matter such as ink adhering to the vicinity of the nozzle N of the ejection section D with a wiper, and a pumping process that sucks ink from inside the ejection section D with a tube pump or the like.

[0028] The maintenance unit 7 has a discharged ink receiving section for receiving the discharged ink when the ink in the discharge section D is discharged during the flushing process, a wiper for wiping off foreign matter such as ink adhering to the vicinity of the nozzle N of the discharge section D, and a tube pump for sucking ink, air bubbles, etc. from the discharge section D. The discharged ink receiving section, wiper, and tube pump are not shown in the drawings.

[0029] The display device 120 is an output device such as a display that outputs to the outside, and is communicably connected to the liquid ejection device 100. For example, the display device 120 displays an image under the control of the control unit 4. The display device 120 may be included in the liquid ejection device 100. The display device 120 may also function as an input device that accepts input from the outside. For example, a touch panel display in which an input device and an output device are integrated may be used as the display device 120.

[0030] The server 200 is, for example, any information processing device capable of communicating with other devices. For example, the server 200 receives residual vibration information Vinf, which is a digital signal indicating the waveform of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14, from the liquid ejection device 100 via the network NW. The server 200 then analyzes the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf and generates adjustment information Ainf for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COM based on the analysis results of the residual vibration. The server 200 also transmits the adjustment information Ainf to the liquid ejection device 100 via the network NW. The adjustment information Ainf indicates an adjustment value for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COM, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later.

[0031] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the analysis of residual vibration and the determination of the adjustment values indicated by the adjustment information Ainf are performed by the server 200. However, the analysis of residual vibration and the determination of the adjustment values indicated by the adjustment information Ainf do not have to be performed by the server 200. For example, a user of the server 200 may analyze residual vibration and determine the adjustment values indicated by the adjustment information Ainf. In this case, the server 200 acquires adjustment information Ainf indicating the adjustment values determined by the user of the server 200 and transmits the acquired adjustment information Ainf to the liquid ejection device 100 via the network NW. An example of the user of the server 200 is an employee of the head manufacturer that manufactured the liquid ejection head 1. The head manufacturer that manufactured the liquid ejection head 1 may also be considered as the user of the server 200. The method of analyzing residual vibration is not particularly limited, and any known method can be used.

[0032] Next, the overall configuration of the server 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the server 200. As shown in FIG.

[0034] The server 200 includes, for example, a control unit 204 that controls the entire server 200, a storage unit 205 that stores various information such as the control program PG2 of the server 200, and a communication unit 206 for communicating with other devices.

[0035] The control unit 204 is configured similarly to the control unit 4 of the liquid ejection device 100 described in FIG. 1, for example. For example, the control unit 204 is configured to include one or more CPUs. Note that the control unit 204 may be configured to include a programmable logic device such as an FPGA instead of or in addition to the CPU. The control unit 204 functions as a control unit that controls the storage unit 205, the communication unit 206, etc., by operating in accordance with the control program PG2 stored in the storage unit 205, for example. In this embodiment, the control unit 204 functions as an adjustment control unit 210 that transmits the adjustment information Ainf to the liquid ejection device 100 by operating in accordance with the control program PG2. Details of the operation of the adjustment control unit 210 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0036] The storage unit 205 is configured similarly to the storage unit 5 of the liquid ejection device 100 described in FIG. 1, for example. For example, the storage unit 205 is configured to include one or both of a volatile memory such as RAM and a non-volatile memory such as ROM, EEPROM, or PROM. The storage unit 205 may be included in the control unit 204. In this embodiment, the storage unit 205 stores a database DB in addition to the control program PG2. The database DB stores, for example, the results of adopting the adjustment information Ainf in association with the adjustment information Ainf. The database DB may be stored in an external storage unit communicatively connected to the server 200. The database DB is an example of a "storage unit." The storage unit 5 in which the database DB is stored may also be considered a "storage unit."

[0037] The communication unit 206 is configured, for example, in the same manner as the communication unit 6 of the liquid ejection device 100 described in Fig. 1. For example, the communication unit 206 is hardware for communicating with other devices such as the liquid ejection device 100. For example, the communication unit 206 communicates with the liquid ejection device 100 via the network NW under the control of the control unit 204.

[0038] The configuration of server 200 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 2. For example, server 200 may have one or both of an input device such as a keyboard that receives input from the outside and an output device such as a display that outputs to the outside.

[0039] Next, the overall configuration of the liquid ejection device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] 3 is a schematic diagram of the liquid ejection device 100. In FIG. 3, the ink container CT, the medium transport mechanism 8, and the carriage transport mechanism 9 will be mainly described.

[0041] The ink container CT stores ink. Examples of the ink container CT include a cartridge detachable from the liquid ejection device 100, a bag-shaped ink pack made of flexible film, or an ink tank that can be refilled with ink. The type of ink stored in the ink container CT is not particularly limited and can be any type. As described above, this embodiment assumes that the liquid ejection device 100 has four liquid ejection heads 1, each corresponding to one of four ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ink container CT stores the four ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The ink container CT supplies the stored ink to the liquid ejection heads 1.

[0042] The medium conveying mechanism 8 conveys the medium PP in the Y1 direction along the Y axis under the control of the control unit 4. Hereinafter, the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction opposite to the Y1 direction will be collectively referred to as the Y-axis direction. Hereinafter, the X1 direction along the X axis intersecting the Y axis and the X2 direction opposite to the X1 direction will be collectively referred to as the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, the Z1 direction along the Z axis intersecting the X and Y axes and the Z2 direction opposite to the Z1 direction will be collectively referred to as the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are orthogonal to one another. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It is sufficient that the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis intersect with one another.

[0043] The carriage transport mechanism 9 reciprocates the multiple liquid ejection heads 1 in the X1 and X2 directions under the control of the control unit 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the carriage transport mechanism 9 has a substantially box-shaped carriage 91 that houses the multiple liquid ejection heads 1, and an endless belt 92 to which the carriage 91 is fixed. Note that the ink containers CT may be housed in the carriage 91 together with the liquid ejection heads 1.

[0044] The liquid ejection head 1 is driven by a drive signal COM under the control of a print signal SI, and ejects ink in the Z1 direction from some or all of the multiple nozzles N provided in the liquid ejection head 1. That is, the liquid ejection head 1 ejects ink from some or all of the multiple nozzles N in conjunction with the transport of the medium PP by the medium transport mechanism 8 and the reciprocating movement of the liquid ejection head 1 by the carriage transport mechanism 9, and forms a desired image on the surface of the medium PP by causing the ejected ink to land on the surface of the medium PP. In this embodiment, as described above, the Z1 direction is the direction in which ink is ejected from the nozzles N.

[0045] Next, the general structure of the liquid ejection head 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 4. The cross section taken along line III-III is parallel to the XZ plane and passes through inlets HL1 and HL2, which will be described later. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the numerals "1" and "2" are added to the end of the reference numerals of the nozzle arrays Ln to distinguish between the two nozzle arrays Ln, which will be described later. In addition, in FIGS. 4 and 5, for ease of explanation, the numeral "1" is added to the end of the reference numerals of the nozzles N included in the nozzle array Ln1, and the numeral "2" is added to the end of the reference numerals of the nozzles N included in the nozzle array Ln2.

[0047] 4 and 5, the liquid ejection head 1 has a nozzle substrate 11, compliance sheets CS1 and CS2, a communication plate 12, a pressure chamber substrate 13, a vibration plate 14, a sealing substrate 15, a flow path forming substrate 16, and a wiring board 17 on which electronic components EC are mounted. The electronic components EC include, for example, electrical circuits such as a switching circuit 18 and a detection circuit 19. For example, the recording head 10 is electrically connected to the switching circuit 18, the detection circuit 19, etc. via the wiring board 17.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the recording head 10 includes, for example, a nozzle substrate 11, compliance sheets CS1 and CS2, a communication plate 12, a pressure chamber substrate 13, a vibration plate 14, a sealing substrate 15, and a flow path forming substrate 16.

[0049] The nozzle substrate 11 is a plate-like member that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and extends approximately parallel to the XY plane. Here, "approximately parallel" is a concept that includes not only completely parallel but also a case where it can be considered to be parallel when an error is taken into consideration. In this embodiment, "approximately parallel" is a concept that includes a case where it can be considered to be parallel when an error of about 10% is taken into consideration. Like "approximately parallel," the term "approximately perpendicular," which will be described later, is a concept that includes not only completely perpendicular but also perpendicular when an error is taken into consideration. The nozzle substrate 11 is manufactured by processing a silicon single crystal substrate using semiconductor manufacturing techniques such as etching, for example, but known materials and manufacturing methods may be arbitrarily adopted for manufacturing the nozzle substrate 11.

[0050] M nozzles N are formed on the nozzle substrate 11. Here, the nozzles N are through-holes formed in the nozzle substrate 11. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the multiple nozzles N formed on the nozzle substrate 11 include multiple nozzles N1 arranged to extend in the Y-axis direction and multiple nozzles N2 arranged to extend in the Y-axis direction at positions in the X2 direction as viewed from the multiple nozzles N1. Hereinafter, the multiple nozzles N1 extending in the Y-axis direction will be referred to as a nozzle row Ln1, and the multiple nozzles N2 extending in the Y-axis direction will be referred to as a nozzle row Ln2. For example, the number of nozzles N included in each of the nozzle rows LN1 and Ln2 is half the value M. Hereinafter, the nozzle row Ln1 and the nozzle row Ln2 may be collectively referred to as the nozzle row Ln. Also, in Figures 4 and 5, to make the explanation easier to understand, the numeral "1" is added to the end of the reference numeral of the component of the liquid ejection head 1 that corresponds to nozzle row Ln1, and the numeral "2" is added to the end of the reference numeral of the component that corresponds to nozzle row Ln2.

[0051] 4 and 5, a communicating plate 12 is provided at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the nozzle substrate 11. The communicating plate 12 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the Y-axis direction and extends approximately parallel to the XY plane. The communicating plate 12 is manufactured, for example, by processing a silicon single crystal substrate using semiconductor manufacturing technology, but the communicating plate 12 may be manufactured using any known material and method.

[0052] Ink flow paths are formed in the communicating plate 12. Specifically, the communicating plate 12 is formed with one supply flow path BA1 extending in the Y-axis direction and one supply flow path BA2 extending in the Y-axis direction at a position in the X2 direction as viewed from the supply flow path BA1. The communicating plate 12 also is formed with a plurality of connection flow paths BK1 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles N1, a plurality of connection flow paths BK2 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles N2, a plurality of communication flow paths BR1 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles N1, and a plurality of communication flow paths BR2 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles N2.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection flow path BK1 communicates with the supply flow path BA1 and is provided so as to extend in the Z-axis direction at a position in the X2 direction as viewed from the supply flow path BA1. The communication flow path BR1 is provided so as to extend in the Z-axis direction at a position in the X2 direction as viewed from the connection flow path BK1. The communication flow path BR1 communicates with the nozzle N1 corresponding to the communication flow path BR1. The connection flow path BK2 communicates with the supply flow path BA2 and is provided so as to extend in the Z-axis direction at a position in the X1 direction as viewed from the supply flow path BA2. The communication flow path BR2 is provided so as to extend in the Z-axis direction at a position in the X1 direction as viewed from the connection flow path BK2 and at a position in the X2 direction as viewed from the communication flow path BR1. The communication flow path BR2 communicates with the nozzle N2 corresponding to the communication flow path BR2.

[0054] The supply flow paths BA1 and BA2 are also referred to as supply flow paths BA without any particular distinction, the connection flow paths BK1 and BK2 are also referred to as connection flow paths BK without any particular distinction, and the communicating flow paths BR1 and BR2 are also referred to as communicating flow paths BR without any particular distinction.

[0055] 4 and 5, a pressure chamber substrate 13 is provided at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the communication plate 12. The pressure chamber substrate 13 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the Y-axis direction and extends approximately parallel to the XY plane. The pressure chamber substrate 13 is manufactured, for example, by processing a silicon single crystal substrate using semiconductor manufacturing technology, but the pressure chamber substrate 13 may be manufactured using any known material and manufacturing method.

[0056] Ink flow paths are formed in the pressure chamber substrate 13. Specifically, the pressure chamber substrate 13 is formed with a plurality of pressure chambers CV1 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles N1 and a plurality of pressure chambers CV2 corresponding to the plurality of nozzles N2. Of these, the pressure chamber CV1 is provided so as to connect the X2-direction end of the connection flow path BK1 and the X1-direction end of the communication flow path BR1 and extend in the X-axis direction when viewed in the Z-axis direction. The pressure chamber CV2 is provided so as to connect the X1-direction end of the connection flow path BK2 and the X2-direction end of the communication flow path BR2 when viewed in the Z-axis direction and extend in the X-axis direction. The pressure chambers CV1 and CV2 are also referred to as pressure chambers CV without any particular distinction being made.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a diaphragm 14 is provided at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the pressure chamber substrate 13. The diaphragm 14 is a plate-shaped member that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and extends substantially parallel to the XY plane, and is capable of elastically vibrating. In this embodiment, the diaphragm 14 has, for example, an elastic layer made of silicon oxide and an insulating layer made of zirconium oxide provided at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the elastic layer. That is, in this embodiment, the Z2-direction surface of the diaphragm 14 is formed of a non-conductive material. Here, the first-direction surface of element A is a surface of element A that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is the surface that is visible when element A is viewed from the first direction to the second direction. The second direction is the direction opposite to the first direction. Note that the elastic layer of the diaphragm 14 is not limited to an elastic layer made of silicon oxide. Similarly, the insulating layer of the diaphragm 14 is not limited to an insulating layer made of zirconium oxide.

[0058] 4 and 5, a plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ1 corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers CV1 and a plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ2 corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers CV2 are provided in positions in the Z2 direction as viewed from the vibration plate 14. Note that the piezoelectric elements PZ1 and PZ2 are also referred to as piezoelectric element PZ without any particular distinction. The piezoelectric element PZ is driven by the supply of a drive signal COM.

[0059] Although not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the piezoelectric element PZ includes a common electrode Zc to which a predetermined bias potential VBS is supplied, an individual electrode Za to which an individual drive signal Vin is supplied, and a piezoelectric body Zb disposed between the individual electrode Za and the common electrode Zc, as shown in FIG. 6 . For example, the individual electrode Za, the piezoelectric body Zb, and the common electrode Zc are disposed in this order on the Z2-direction surface of the diaphragm 14 along the Z2 direction. Here, the expression “element B is formed on the surface of element A” in this specification does not intend to limit the configuration to one in which element A and element B are in direct contact with each other. In other words, even if element C is formed on the surface of element A and element B is formed on the surface of element C, the concept of “element B is formed on the surface of element A” is encompassed as long as at least a portion of element A and element B overlap in a planar view. Note that in this embodiment, the common electrode Zc is a so-called upper electrode and the individual electrode Za is a so-called lower electrode. However, the common electrode Zc may be a lower electrode and the individual electrode Za may be an upper electrode.

[0060] The piezoelectric element PZ is a passive element that deforms in response to changes in the potential of the drive signal COM supplied to the individual electrode Za as the individual drive signal Vin. In other words, the piezoelectric element PZ is an example of an energy conversion element that converts the electrical energy of the drive signal COM into kinetic energy. Specifically, the piezoelectric element PZ is driven and deforms in response to changes in the potential of the drive signal COM.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a piezoelectric element PZ is provided on the Z2-direction surface of the vibration plate 14, and therefore the vibration plate 14 vibrates in conjunction with the deformation of the piezoelectric element PZ. That is, the vibration plate 14 vibrates when the piezoelectric element PZ is driven. When the vibration plate 14 vibrates, the pressure in the pressure chamber CV fluctuates. Then, as the pressure in the pressure chamber CV fluctuates, ink filled in the pressure chamber CV is ejected from the nozzle N via the communication flow path BR. In this way, the pressure chamber CV is filled with ink, and pressure for ejecting the ink from the nozzle N is applied by the vibration of the vibration plate 14. Furthermore, the vibration remaining in the ejection portion D[m] described in FIG. 1 can also be considered, for example, as vibration remaining in the ink in the pressure chamber CV of the ejection portion D.

[0062] 4 and 5, a sealing substrate 15 for protecting the plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ1 and the plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ2 is provided at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the pressure chamber substrate 13. The sealing substrate 15 is a plate-like member that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and extends approximately parallel to the XY plane. The sealing substrate 15 is manufactured, for example, by processing a silicon single crystal substrate using semiconductor manufacturing technology, but the sealing substrate 15 may be manufactured using any known material and manufacturing method.

[0063] 5, the surface of the sealing substrate 15 in the Z1 direction is provided with recesses for covering the plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ1 and recesses for covering the plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ2. Hereinafter, the sealed space covering the plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ1 and formed between the vibration plate 14 and the sealing substrate 15 will be referred to as the sealed space SP1, and the sealed space covering the plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ2 and formed between the vibration plate 14 and the sealing substrate 15 will be referred to as the sealed space SP2. The sealed spaces SP1 and SP2 will also be referred to as the sealed space SP without any particular distinction. The sealed space SP is a space for sealing the piezoelectric elements PZ and preventing the piezoelectric elements PZ from being altered by the influence of moisture, etc.

[0064] A through hole 15h is provided in the sealing substrate 15. When the sealing substrate 15 is viewed in the Z1 direction, the through hole 15h is located between the sealed space SP1 and the sealed space SP2, and is a hole that penetrates from the surface of the sealing substrate 15 in the Z1 direction to the surface of the sealing substrate 15 in the Z2 direction. The wiring substrate 17 is inserted into the through hole 15h.

[0065] 4 and 5, a flow path forming substrate 16 is provided at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the communication plate 12. The flow path forming substrate 16 is a plate-like member that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and extends substantially parallel to the XY plane. The flow path forming substrate 16 is formed, for example, by injection molding of a resin material, but the flow path forming substrate 16 may be manufactured using any known material and method.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, ink flow paths are formed in the flow path forming substrate 16. Specifically, one supply flow path BB1 and one supply flow path BB2 are formed in the flow path forming substrate 16. Of these, supply flow path BB1 communicates with supply flow path BA1 and is provided so as to extend in the Y-axis direction at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from supply flow path BA1. Supply flow path BB2 communicates with supply flow path BA2 and is provided so as to extend in the Y-axis direction at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from supply flow path BA2 and at a position in the X2 direction as viewed from supply flow path BB1. Note that supply flow paths BB1 and BB2 are also referred to as supply flow path BB without any particular distinction.

[0067] The flow channel forming substrate 16 is provided with an inlet HL1 communicating with the supply channel BB1 and an inlet HL2 communicating with the supply channel BB2. Ink is supplied to the supply channel BB1 from the ink container CT via the inlet HL1. The ink supplied to the supply channel BB1 from the ink container CT via the inlet HL1 flows into the supply channel BA1. Some of the ink that flows into the supply channel BA1 passes through the connecting channel BK1 and fills the pressure chamber CV1. When the piezoelectric element PZ1 is driven by the drive signal COM, some of the ink that has filled the pressure chamber CV1 is ejected from the nozzle N1 via the connecting channel BR1.

[0068] Furthermore, ink is supplied to supply flow path BB2 from the ink container CT via inlet HL2. The ink supplied from the ink container CT to supply flow path BB2 via inlet HL2 flows into supply flow path BA2. Some of the ink that flows into supply flow path BA2 passes through connecting flow path BK2 and fills pressure chamber CV2. When piezoelectric element PZ2 is driven by drive signal COM, some of the ink that has filled pressure chamber CV2 passes through communicating flow path BR2 and is ejected from nozzle N2.

[0069] A through hole 16h is provided in the flow path forming substrate 16. When the flow path forming substrate 16 is viewed in the Z1 direction, the through hole 16h is located between the supply flow path BB1 and the supply flow path BB2, and is a hole that penetrates from the surface of the flow path forming substrate 16 in the Z1 direction to the surface of the flow path forming substrate 16 in the Z2 direction. The wiring substrate 17 is inserted into the through hole 16h.

[0070] 4 and 5, a wiring board 17 is mounted on the Z2 direction surface of the diaphragm 14. The wiring board 17 is a component for electrically connecting the liquid ejection head 1 to the control unit 4. For example, a flexible wiring board such as an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) or an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) is suitably used as the wiring board 17. As described above, electronic components EC including the switching circuit 18 and the detection circuit 19 are mounted on the wiring board 17.

[0071] 4 and 5, a compliance sheet CS1 is provided in a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the communicating plate 12 so as to block the supply flow path BA1 and the connecting flow path BK1, and a compliance sheet CS2 is provided so as to block the supply flow path BA2 and the connecting flow path BK2. The compliance sheets CS1 and CS2 are also referred to as the compliance sheet CS without any particular distinction. The compliance sheet CS is a plate-like member that is elongated in the Y-axis direction and extends substantially parallel to the XY plane. The compliance sheet CS is made of an elastic material and absorbs pressure fluctuations of the ink in the supply flow path BA and the connecting flow path BK.

[0072] 5, ejection section D1 has a piezoelectric element PZ1, a pressure chamber CV1, a nozzle N1 communicating with the pressure chamber CV1, and a portion of the vibration plate 14 that contacts the piezoelectric element PZ1. Similarly, ejection section D2 has a piezoelectric element PZ2, a pressure chamber CV2, a nozzle N2 communicating with the pressure chamber CV2, and a portion of the vibration plate 14 that contacts the piezoelectric element PZ2. Note that ejection sections D1 and D2 are also referred to as ejection section D without any particular distinction. Therefore, the residual vibration of ejection section D can also be regarded as the residual vibration corresponding to the nozzle N.

[0073] Although not shown, the liquid ejection head 1 also has a cap for sealing the nozzle surface, which is the surface in the Z1 direction of the nozzle substrate 11. The cap seals the nozzle surface of the nozzle substrate 11 on which the nozzles N are formed, during periods when ink is not ejected from the nozzles N.

[0074] Next, an overview of the liquid ejection head 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the liquid ejection head 1. As shown in FIG.

[0076] 1, the liquid ejection head 1 has a recording head 10, a switching circuit 18, and a detection circuit 19. The liquid ejection head 1 also has a wiring La to which a drive signal COMa is supplied from the drive signal generation unit 2, and a wiring Lb to which a drive signal COMb is supplied from the drive signal generation unit 2. The liquid ejection head 1 also has a wiring Ls that supplies a detection signal Vout to the detection circuit 19, a wiring Li[m] that supplies an individual drive signal Vin[m] to the ejection section D[m], and a wiring Ld to which a bias potential VBS is supplied.

[0077] The switching circuit 18 has M switches SWa[1] to SWa[M] that correspond one-to-one to the M discharge units D[1] to D[M], M switches SWb[1] to SWb[M] that correspond one-to-one to the M discharge units D[1] to D[M], and M switches SWs[1] to SWs[M] that correspond one-to-one to the M discharge units D[1] to D[M].

[0078] The switching circuit 18 also includes a connection state designation circuit CSC. The connection state designation circuit CSC designates the connection states of the M switches SWa, M switches SWb, and M switches SWs. For example, the connection state designation circuit CSC generates connection state designation signals Qa[m], Qb[m], and Qs[m] based on at least some of the print signal SI, latch signal LAT, and period specification signal Tsig supplied from the control unit 4.

[0079] For example, the connection state designation signal Qa[m] is a signal that designates the on / off state of the switch SWa[m], the connection state designation signal Qb[m] is a signal that designates the on / off state of the switch SWb[m], and the connection state designation signal Qs[m] is a signal that designates the on / off state of the switch SWs[m].

[0080] The switch SWa[m] switches between conduction and non-conduction between the wiring La and the individual electrode Za[m] of the piezoelectric element PZ[m] provided in the discharge section D[m] based on the connection state designation signal Qa[m]. That is, the switch SWa[m] switches between conduction and non-conduction between the wiring La and the wiring Li[m] connected to the individual electrode Za[m] based on the connection state designation signal Qa[m]. In this embodiment, the switch SWa[m] is turned on when the connection state designation signal Qa[m] is high level and turned off when it is low level. When the switch SWa[m] is on, the drive signal COMa supplied to the wiring La is supplied as the individual drive signal Vin[m] to the individual electrode Za[m] of the discharge section D[m] via the wiring Li[m].

[0081] The switch SWb[m] switches between conduction and non-conduction between the wiring Lb and the individual electrode Za[m] of the piezoelectric element PZ[m] provided in the discharge section D[m] based on the connection state designation signal Qb[m]. That is, the switch SWb[m] switches between conduction and non-conduction between the wiring Lb and the wiring Li[m] connected to the individual electrode Za[m] based on the connection state designation signal Qb[m]. In this embodiment, the switch SWb[m] is turned on when the connection state designation signal Qb[m] is high level and turned off when the connection state designation signal Qb[m] is low level. When the switch SWb[m] is on, the drive signal COMb supplied to the wiring Lb is supplied as the individual drive signal Vin[m] to the individual electrode Za[m] of the discharge section D[m] via the wiring Li[m].

[0082] The switch SWs[m] switches between electrical continuity and non-conduction between the wiring Ls and the individual electrode Za[m] of the piezoelectric element PZ[m] provided in the discharge portion D[m] based on the connection state designation signal Qs[m]. That is, the switch SWs[m] switches between electrical continuity and non-conduction between the wiring Ls and the wiring Li[m] connected to the individual electrode Za[m] based on the connection state designation signal Qs[m]. In this embodiment, the switch SWs[m] is turned on when the connection state designation signal Qs[m] is high level and turned off when the connection state designation signal Qs[m] is low level.

[0083] For example, the connection state designation signal Qs[m] becomes high level when detecting residual vibration of a discharge portion D[m]. Hereinafter, the discharge portion D whose residual vibration is detected may be referred to as the discharge portion D of the detection target. When the switch SWs[m] is turned on, a detection signal Vout[m] indicating the potential of the individual electrode Za[m] of the piezoelectric element PZ[m] of the discharge portion D[m] of the detection target is supplied to the detection circuit 19 via the wiring Li[m] and the wiring Ls. The detection circuit 19 generates a residual vibration signal Vd[m] based on the detection signal Vout[m].

[0084] As described above, the individual drive signal Vin[m] is a signal of the drive signals COMa and COMb that is supplied to the piezoelectric element PZ[m] of the discharge section D[m] via the switch SWa[m] or SWb[m].

[0085] Next, the operation of the liquid ejection device 100 in the unit period Tu will be described with reference to FIG.

[0086] 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the liquid ejection device 100 in a unit period Tu. In this embodiment, when the liquid ejection device 100 executes a printing process, a printing process period including one or more unit periods Tu is set as the operating period of the liquid ejection device 100. The liquid ejection device 100 according to this embodiment can drive each ejection section D for the printing process in each unit period Tu. Furthermore, the liquid ejection device 100 according to this embodiment can drive the ejection section D to be detected and detect the detection signal Vout[m] from the ejection section D to be detected in each unit period Tu.

[0087] The control unit 4 outputs a latch signal LAT having a pulse PLL, thereby defining a unit period Tu as the period from the rising edge of the pulse PLL to the rising edge of the next pulse PLL.

[0088] The print signal SI includes, for example, M individual designation signals Sd[1] to Sd[M] that correspond one-to-one to the M discharge sections D[1] to D[M]. The individual designation signal Sd[m] designates the driving mode of the discharge section D[m] in each unit period Tu when the liquid discharger 100 executes a printing process.

[0089] Prior to each unit period Tu during which printing is performed, the control unit 4 supplies a print signal SI, including individual designation signals Sd[1] to Sd[M], to the connection state designation circuit CSC in synchronization with the clock signal CL. Then, during that unit period Tu, the connection state designation circuit CSC generates connection state designation signals Qa[m], Qb[m], and Qs[m] based on the individual designation signal Sd[m].

[0090] For example, during the unit period TP in which the printing process is executed, the discharge section D[m] is designated by the individual designation signal Sd[m] as either a discharge section D that forms dots, a discharge section D that does not form dots, or a discharge section D to be detected.

[0091] First, the operation of the connection state specification circuit CSC and the like when the drive mode of the discharge section D that forms dots is specified by the individual specification signal Sd[m] will be described.

[0092] The drive signal generation unit 2 outputs a drive signal COMa having a pulse PA. The pulse PA is, for example, a pulse that causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle N. The pulse PA has a waveform in which the potential of the drive signal COMa changes from potential V0, passes through potential VLa which is lower than potential V0, and potential VHa which is higher than potential V0, and then returns to potential V0. Potential V0 is the potential at the start and end of the pulse PA, and is the reference potential of the drive signal COMa.

[0093] For example, the pulse PA has a waveform element Pa1 whose potential changes from potential V0 to potential VLa, a waveform element Pa2 whose potential is maintained at the potential VLa at the end of the waveform element Pa1, and a waveform element Pa3 whose potential changes from potential VLa to potential VHa. The pulse PA further includes a waveform element Pa4 whose potential is maintained at the potential VHa at the end of the waveform element Pa3, and a waveform element Pa5 whose potential changes from potential VHa to potential V0.

[0094] The waveform elements Pa1 and Pa5 are expansion elements for displacing the piezoelectric body Zb in the Z2 direction. In the expansion elements, the potential of the drive signal COMa changes to drive the piezoelectric element PZ so as to expand the volume of the pressure chamber CV. Therefore, in the waveform elements Pa1 and Pa5, the potential of the drive signal COMa changes so as to expand the volume of the pressure chamber CV. When the volume of the pressure chamber CV expands, the surface of the ink in the nozzle N is pulled in the Z2 direction, which is the opposite direction to the ejection direction. Hereinafter, pulling the surface of the ink in the nozzle N in the direction opposite to the ejection direction may be referred to as "pull."

[0095] Furthermore, the waveform element Pa3 is a contraction element for displacing the piezoelectric body Zb in the Z1 direction. In the contraction element, the potential of the drive signal COMa changes to drive the piezoelectric element PZ so as to contract the volume of the pressure chamber CV. Therefore, in the waveform element Pa3, the potential of the drive signal COMa changes so as to contract the volume of the pressure chamber CV. When the volume of the pressure chamber CV contracts, the surface of the ink in the nozzle N is pushed in the Z1 direction, which is the ejection direction. Hereinafter, pushing the surface of the ink in the nozzle N in the ejection direction may be referred to as a push.

[0096] Furthermore, waveform elements Pa2 and Pa4 are maintaining elements for maintaining the position of piezoelectric body Zb in the Z-axis direction. For example, waveform element Pa2 maintains the potential of drive signal COMa in order to drive piezoelectric element PZ so as to maintain the volume of pressure chamber CV expanded by waveform element Pa1. For example, waveform element Pa4 maintains the potential of drive signal COMa in order to drive piezoelectric element PZ so as to maintain the volume of pressure chamber CV contracted by waveform element Pa3.

[0097] In this way, the pulse PA has a so-called pull-push-pull waveform. However, the waveform of the drive signal COMa that causes ink to be ejected from the nozzle N is not limited to the pull-push-pull waveform.

[0098] The pulse PA is determined so that a predetermined amount of ink is ejected from the ejection section D[m] when an individual drive signal Vin[m] having the pulse PA is supplied to the ejection section D[m]. Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed that when the potential of the individual drive signal Vin[m] is high, the volume of the pressure chamber CV of the ejection section D[m] is smaller than when the potential is low. Therefore, when the ejection section D[m] is driven by the individual drive signal Vin[m] having the pulse PA, the ink in the ejection section D[m] is ejected from the nozzle N by the waveform element Pa3, in which the potential of the individual drive signal Vin[m] changes from low to high.

[0099] For example, the waveform elements Pa1, Pa2, Pa3, Pa4, and Pa5 included in the pulse PA are determined based on the ink ejection characteristics of the ejection unit D. The ink ejection characteristics include, for example, the amount of ink ejected as ink droplets and the ejection speed of the ejected ink droplets.

[0100] Here, variations in parameters related to ink behavior, such as the natural vibration period of the pressure chamber CV, cause variations in ink ejection characteristics. The natural vibration period of the pressure chamber CV is determined, for example, based on the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14 detected by the detection circuit 19. Therefore, in this embodiment, the waveform of the drive signal COMa, i.e., the waveform of the pulse PA, is determined, for example, based on residual vibration information Vinf indicating the waveform of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14. In this embodiment, the length TA1 of the waveform element Pa2 and the length TA2 of the waveform element Pa4 are adjusted based on the residual vibration information Vinf, which is a predetermined reference waveform of the pulse PA. Note that this embodiment assumes that the start timing of the waveform element Pa2 and the start timing of the waveform element Pa4, relative to the start timing of the waveform element Pa1 as the starting point, do not change before and after adjusting the lengths TA1 and TA2.

[0101] Therefore, for example, when the length TA1 is long, the amount of potential change per unit time of the waveform element Pa3, i.e., the slope of the waveform element Pa3, is larger than when the length TA1 is short. For example, when the slope of the waveform element Pa3 is large, the ink droplet ejection speed is faster than when the slope of the waveform element Pa3 is small. Furthermore, for example, when the length TA2 is long, the amount of potential change per unit time of the waveform element Pa5, i.e., the slope of the waveform element Pa5, is larger than when the length TA2 is short. When the slope of the waveform element Pa5 is large, the vibration damping ability to attenuate the residual vibration of the ejection section D is higher than when the slope of the waveform element Pa5 is small. Note that the method of adjusting the waveform of the pulse PA, i.e., the method of determining the waveform of the pulse PA, is not limited to adjusting the length TA1 of the waveform element Pa2 and the length TA2 of the waveform element Pa4. For example, one or both of the potentials VHa and VLa may be adjusted based on the residual vibration information Vinf relative to the reference waveform of the pulse PA. For example, for the reference waveform of pulse PA, the slopes of waveform element Pa3 and waveform element Pa5 may be adjusted based on residual vibration information Vinf without changing the length TA1 of waveform element Pa2 and the length TA2 of waveform element Pa4. For example, for the reference waveform of pulse PA, some or all of the potential VHa, potential VLa, length TA1, length TA2, slope of waveform element Pa3, and slope of waveform element Pa5 may be adjusted based on residual vibration information Vinf.

[0102] The residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf used to determine the waveform of the pulse PA is a residual vibration representative of the residual vibrations of M discharge sections D. For example, the residual vibration representative of the residual vibrations of M discharge sections D may be the residual vibration of one discharge section D among the M discharge sections D. Alternatively, the residual vibration representative of the residual vibrations of M discharge sections D may be statistically determined using the residual vibrations of K discharge sections D. For example, the residual vibration representative of the residual vibrations of M discharge sections D may be the average value of the residual vibrations of K discharge sections D, or may be the maximum or minimum value of the residual vibrations of K discharge sections D. The value K is a natural number that satisfies "2≦K≦M".

[0103] Next, the operation of the connection state designation circuit CSC and the like when the drive mode of the discharge section D to be detected is designated by the individual designation signal Sd[m] will be described.

[0104] For example, the drive signal generating unit 2 outputs a drive signal COMb having a pulse PS. The pulse PS has a waveform in which the potential of the drive signal COMb changes from a potential V0 to a potential VLs lower than the potential V0, passes through a potential VHs higher than the potential V0, and returns to the potential V0. In this embodiment, the pulse PS is determined so that the potential difference between the potential VHs, which is the highest potential of the pulse PS, and the potential VLs, which is the lowest potential, is smaller than the potential difference between the potential VHa, which is the highest potential of the pulse PA, and the potential VLa, which is the lowest potential. Specifically, when the drive signal COMb having the pulse PS is supplied to the ejection section D[m], the waveform of the pulse PS is determined so that the ejection section D[m] is driven to such an extent that ink is not ejected from the ejection section D[m]. The potential of the pulse PS is set to the potential V0 at the start and end.

[0105] The control unit 4 also outputs a period defining signal Tsig having a pulse PLSt1 and a pulse PLSt2, thereby dividing the unit period Tu into a control period TSS1 from the start of the pulse PLL to the start of the pulse PLSt1, a control period TSS2 from the start of the pulse PLSt1 to the start of the pulse PLSt2, and a control period TSS3 from the start of the pulse PLSt2 to the start of the next pulse PLL.

[0106] For example, when the individual designation signal Sd[m] designates the discharge portion D[m] as the discharge portion D to be detected, the connection state designation circuit CSC sets the connection state designation signal Qa[m] to a low level in the unit period Tu. The connection state designation circuit CSC also sets the connection state designation signal Qb[m] to a high level in the control periods TSS1 and TSS3, and to a low level in the control period TSS2. The connection state designation circuit CSC also sets the connection state designation signal Qs[m] to a low level in the control periods TSS1 and TSS3, and to a high level in the control period TSS2.

[0107] In this case, the piezoelectric element PZ[m] of the discharge section D[m] to be detected is driven by the pulse PS of the drive signal COMb during the control period TSS1. Specifically, the piezoelectric element PZ[m] is displaced by the pulse PS of the drive signal COMb during the control period TSS1. As a result, vibration occurs in the discharge section D[m] to be detected. The vibration generated during the control period TSS1 remains during the control period TSS2. Then, during the control period TSS2, the potential of the individual electrode Za[m] of the piezoelectric element PZ[m] of the discharge section D[m] to be detected changes depending on the residual vibration generated in the discharge section D[m]. That is, during the control period TSS2, the potential of the individual electrode Za of the piezoelectric element PZ of the discharge section D to be detected becomes a potential corresponding to the electromotive force of the piezoelectric element PZ caused by the residual vibration generated in the discharge section D to be detected. Then, the potential of the individual electrode Za is detected as the detection signal Vout during the control period TSS2.

[0108] Furthermore, when the driving mode of the ejection section D that does not form dots is specified by the individual specification signal Sd[m], for example, the connection state specification circuit CSC sets the connection state specification signals Qa[m], Qb[m] and Qs[m] to a low level in the unit period Tu.

[0109] The operation of the liquid ejection device 100 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 7. For example, Fig. 7 illustrates a case where one drive signal COM is used to eject ink from the nozzle N, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a plurality of drive signals COM corresponding to the size of the dot may be used as the drive signal COM to eject ink from the nozzle N. Furthermore, the plurality of drive signals COM may include a drive signal COM having a micro-vibration waveform to prevent the ink from thickening.

[0110] 7 illustrates an example in which the detection signal Vout indicating the residual vibration of the ejection section D to be detected is generated during the printing process period, but the detection signal Vout may be generated during a period other than the printing process period. In other words, a process for detecting the residual vibration of the ejection section D to be detected may be executed during a period other than the printing process period.

[0111] Next, the adjustment information Ainf for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa will be described with reference to FIG.

[0112] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining adjustment information Ainf for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa. Note that Fig. 8 also shows the waveform of the drive signal COMa as a note. In this embodiment, it is assumed that one piece of adjustment information Ainf is used for each liquid ejection head 1. For ease of understanding, Fig. 8 shows multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf.

[0113] In this embodiment, as described in FIG. 7, the length TA1 of waveform element Pa2 and the length TA2 of waveform element Pa4 in the reference waveform of pulse PA are adjusted based on the residual vibration indicated by residual vibration information Vinf. Hereinafter, the length TA1 of waveform element Pa2 in the reference waveform of pulse PA will also be referred to as the length TA1 of waveform element Pa2 of the reference waveform, and the length TA2 of waveform element Pa4 in the reference waveform of pulse PA will also be referred to as the length TA2 of waveform element Pa4 of the reference waveform. For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the adjustment information Ainf indicates an adjustment value for the length TA1 of waveform element Pa2 of the reference waveform and an adjustment value for the length TA2 of waveform element Pa4 of the reference waveform.

[0114] 8, the length TA1 of waveform element Pa2 is determined by multiplying the length TA1 of waveform element Pa2 of the reference waveform by the adjustment value for length TA1, and the length TA2 of waveform element Pa4 is determined by multiplying the length TA2 of waveform element Pa4 of the reference waveform by the adjustment value for length TA2. Note that the adjustment of lengths TA1 and TA2 does not necessarily have to be by multiplication, and can be done by other methods such as addition or subtraction.

[0115] For example, in adjustment information Ainf1, the adjustment value of length TA1 is 0.9, and the adjustment value of length TA2 is 0.8. In addition, in adjustment information Ainf2, the adjustment values of length TA1 and length TA2 are both 1.0. In addition, in adjustment information Ainf3, the adjustment value of length TA1 is 1.2, and the adjustment value of length TA2 is 1.1. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a drive signal COMa in which the waveform of the pulse PA is the reference waveform is supplied to the liquid ejection head 1 in which adjustment information Ainf2 is adopted.

[0116] The content of the adjustment information Ainf is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 8. For example, the adjustment values of the length TA1 and the length TA2 may be values other than the example values shown in FIG. 8. They can also be changed as appropriate depending on the adjustment method. Furthermore, the waveform of the drive signal COMa may be determined without using the reference waveform of the pulse PA. For example, the adjustment information Ainf may be a waveform designation signal dCOM that defines the waveform of the pulse PA.

[0117] Next, an overview of the residual vibration signal Vd will be described with reference to FIG.

[0118] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd. Fig. 9 schematically shows an example of the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd, i.e., the waveform of the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf. The vertical axis of the diagram represents the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd, and the horizontal axis represents time.

[0119] As described above, the residual vibration signal Vd indicates a waveform corresponding to the residual vibration occurring in the ejection portion D to be detected, i.e., the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14. Specifically, the residual vibration signal Vd indicates a period corresponding to the period of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14, an amplitude corresponding to the amplitude of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14, and a phase corresponding to the phase of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14.

[0120] 9, peaks VPp1 and VPp2 indicate peaks VPp where the potential of residual vibration signal Vd is at its maximum value, i.e., where the waveform of residual vibration signal Vd reaches its peak. Furthermore, peaks VPm1 and VPm2 indicate peaks VPm where the potential of residual vibration signal Vd is at its minimum value, i.e., where the waveform of residual vibration signal Vd reaches its valley. Potential Vc indicates the reference potential of residual vibration signal Vd. For example, potential Vc may be the potential of residual vibration signal Vd when the residual vibration of diaphragm 14 has attenuated and subsided, or may be an intermediate potential between the potentials of peaks VPp and VPm.

[0121] Furthermore, timing Tc1 indicates the timing at which the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd becomes potential Vc when the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd changes from the potential of peak VPp1 to the potential of peak Vpm1. Timing Tc2 indicates the timing at which the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd becomes potential Vc when the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd changes from the potential of peak VPp2 to the potential of peak Vpm2. Furthermore, duration TPc indicates the time from timing Tc1 to timing Tc2. In other words, duration TPc is determined based on the timing at which the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd becomes potential Vc. Furthermore, duration TPm indicates the time from timing Tm1 of peak VPm1 to timing Tm2 of peak VPm2. In other words, duration TPm is determined based on the timing of peak VPm.

[0122] For example, in the analysis of residual vibration in step S220 shown in FIG. 11 (to be described later), the period of residual vibration signal Vd is identified as the period of residual vibration of diaphragm 14. The period of residual vibration signal Vd may be, for example, time length TPc or time length TPm. Alternatively, the period of residual vibration signal Vd may be time length TPv, which is the time from timing Tv1 to timing Tv2. Timing Tv1 is the intermediate timing between the timings at which the potential of residual vibration signal Vd becomes an arbitrary potential VV1 between potential Vc and peak potential VPm1 before and after timing Tm1. Timing Tv2 is the intermediate timing between the timings at which the potential of residual vibration signal Vd becomes an arbitrary potential VV2 between potential Vc and peak potential VPm2 before and after timing Tm2. Note that potential Vc may also be potential VV1 and VV2. In the embodiment in which the time length TPv is set to the period of the residual vibration signal Vd, even if the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd is distorted, it can be expected that the influence of the distortion will be small.

[0123] The method for determining the period of the residual vibration signal Vd is not limited to the above example, and any known method can be used. For example, the period of the residual vibration signal Vd may be the average of multiple time lengths determined based on the timing at which the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd becomes the potential Vc, or may be the average of multiple time lengths determined based on the timing of the peak VPm. Alternatively, the period of the residual vibration signal Vd may be the average of multiple time lengths determined based on the timing of the peak VPp, or may be the average of multiple time lengths determined based on the timing of the peak VPp.

[0124] Furthermore, for example, in the analysis of residual vibration, the amplitude of the residual vibration signal Vd is identified as the amplitude of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14. The amplitude of the residual vibration signal Vd may be, for example, the amplitude of the peak VPp or the amplitude of the peak VPm. The amplitude λc of the peak VPm1 is the absolute value of the difference between the potential of the peak VPm1 and the potential Vc.

[0125] The method for determining the amplitude of the residual vibration signal Vd is not limited to the above example, and any known method can be used. For example, the amplitude of the residual vibration signal Vd may be the amplitude of the first or second peak VPp, or may be the average of the amplitudes of multiple peaks VPp. Alternatively, the amplitude of the residual vibration signal Vd may be the amplitude of the second peak VPm, or may be the average of the amplitudes of multiple peaks VPm. Furthermore, the amplitude of the residual vibration signal Vd may be the average of the amplitudes of one or more peaks VPp and one or more peaks VPm. Furthermore, the attenuation rate of the amplitude of the residual vibration signal Vd may be determined as the attenuation rate of the amplitude of the residual vibration of diaphragm 14.

[0126] Furthermore, for example, in the analysis of residual vibration, the phase of the residual vibration signal Vd is identified as the phase of the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14. The method for identifying the phase of the residual vibration signal Vd is not particularly limited, and any known method can be used.

[0127] The waveform of the drive signal COMa is adjusted based on at least one of the period, amplitude, amplitude attenuation rate, and phase of the residual vibration. For example, the waveform of the drive signal COMa may be adjusted based on the period of the residual vibration, or based on the period and amplitude of the residual vibration. Note that the analysis results of the residual vibration used to adjust the waveform of the drive signal COMa are not limited to the period, amplitude, amplitude attenuation rate, and phase of the residual vibration.

[0128] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, differences in the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd depending on the conditions under which the liquid ejection head 1 is used will be described.

[0129] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating differences in the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd depending on the conditions of use of the liquid ejection head 1. The first example of Fig. 10 schematically shows an example of the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd assumed by the head manufacturer, and the second example of Fig. 10 schematically shows an example of the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd not assumed by the head manufacturer. The vertical axis of the diagram represents the potential of the residual vibration signal Vd, and the horizontal axis represents time.

[0130] For example, when inks recommended by a head manufacturer are used, residual vibrations having a certain degree of correlation in period, amplitude, etc. are detected, as shown in the first example, even if the ink conditions, such as the type of ink, are different. In the first example, it is assumed that the first, second, and third inks recommended by the head manufacturer are used. For example, residual vibration signal Vd1 is a residual vibration signal Vd that indicates residual vibrations detected when the pressure chamber CV is filled with the first ink. Residual vibration signal Vd2 is a residual vibration signal Vd that indicates residual vibrations detected when the pressure chamber CV is filled with the second ink. Furthermore, residual vibration signal Vd3 is a residual vibration signal Vd that indicates residual vibrations detected when the pressure chamber CV is filled with the third ink.

[0131] 10, the period of the residual vibration signal Vd is the same for all three types of ink, but the amplitude λc of the residual vibration signal Vd differs for all three types of ink. For example, of the amplitude λc1 of the residual vibration signal Vd1, the amplitude λc2 of the residual vibration signal Vd2, and the amplitude λc3 of the residual vibration signal Vd3, the amplitude λc1 of the residual vibration signal Vd1 is the largest and the amplitude λc3 of the residual vibration signal Vd3 is the smallest.

[0132] Because the behavior of the residual vibration remaining in the ink in the pressure chamber CV of the ejection section D differs for the three types of ink, it is thought that the appropriate waveform of the drive signal COMa that drives the ejection section D also differs for the three types of ink. Note that, as mentioned above, the waveforms of the multiple residual vibration signals Vd shown in the first example are waveforms assumed by the head manufacturer, and therefore it is also possible for the head manufacturer to prepare in advance multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf that correspond to the multiple residual vibration signals Vd shown in the first example.

[0133] On the other hand, for example, if special ink not anticipated by the head manufacturer is used, the behavior of the ink in the pressure chamber CV may differ significantly from when the ink recommended by the head manufacturer is used. In this case, as shown in the second example, the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd4 is also likely to differ significantly from the waveform anticipated by the head manufacturer. For example, the residual vibration signal Vd4 shown in the second example is a residual vibration signal Vd that indicates residual vibration detected when special ink not anticipated by the head manufacturer is used.

[0134] For a residual vibration signal Vd that differs significantly from the waveform assumed by the head manufacturer, it is difficult for the head manufacturer to prepare in advance adjustment information Ainf that corresponds to the residual vibration signal Vd. Therefore, in a liquid ejection device in which adjustment information Ainf is prepared in advance by the head manufacturer, it is difficult to appropriately adjust the waveform of the drive signal COMa when the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd differs significantly from the waveform assumed by the head manufacturer.

[0135] Therefore, in this embodiment, residual vibration information Vinf indicating the residual vibration detected by the detection circuit 19 is transmitted to the server 200, and the head manufacturer generates adjustment information Ainf based on the residual vibration information Vinf. As a result, in this embodiment, even if the waveform of the residual vibration detected by the detection circuit 19 differs significantly from the waveform expected by the head manufacturer, the head manufacturer generates adjustment information Ainf for appropriately adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa.

[0136] Note that the adjustment information Ainf being generated by the head manufacturer not only means that the residual vibration information Vinf is generated by the server 200, but also means that the residual vibration information Vinf is generated by a user of the server 200, etc. The adjustment information Ainf generated by the head manufacturer is transmitted from the server 200 to the liquid ejection device 100, as described with reference to FIG. 1 and other figures. As a result, in this embodiment, even if the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd differs significantly from the waveform expected by the head manufacturer, the waveform of the drive signal COMa can be appropriately adjusted. Note that in this embodiment, the residual vibration information Vinf is transmitted from the liquid ejection device 100 to the server 200, regardless of whether the waveform of the residual vibration signal Vd is the waveform expected by the head manufacturer.

[0137] Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the operation of the liquid ejection system SYS when adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa will be described.

[0138] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the liquid ejection system SYS when adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa. The operation shown in Fig. 11 is performed, for example, for each of the multiple liquid ejection heads 1. Note that the timing at which the operation shown in Fig. 11 is performed is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it be performed when the liquid ejection device 100 is used for the first time, or when the operating conditions of the liquid ejection device 100 are changed due to a change in the type of ink used, etc. Note that the operating conditions of the liquid ejection device 100 also include the operating conditions of the liquid ejection head 1.

[0139] The usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1 include, for example, some or all of the ink conditions related to the type of ink, the temperature conditions related to the temperature, and the pressure conditions related to the pressure. The usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1 may be conditions other than the ink conditions, the temperature conditions, and the pressure conditions. The temperature in the temperature conditions may be the temperature of the ink or the temperature of the liquid ejection head 1. The pressure in the pressure conditions may be the pressure near the pressure chamber CV or the pressure in the ink flow path. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the temperature and pressure are detected by a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor provided near the pressure chamber CV. However, the temperature and pressure may be detected by methods other than the method using the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor provided near the pressure chamber CV. For example, the temperature and pressure may be detected by a thermistor in the liquid ejection device 100 and a pressure sensor provided in the flow path outside the liquid ejection head 1.

[0140] 11, it is assumed that condition information Cinf, residual vibration information Vinf, and adjustment information Ainf relating to the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1 are stored in a database DB in association with one another. The condition information Cinf includes, for example, some or all of information relating to the type of ink, temperature, and pressure. That is, the condition information Cinf includes some or all of information indicating the ink conditions, temperature conditions, and pressure conditions. In addition, in the description of FIG. 11, a user refers to the user of the liquid ejection device 100, of the user of the liquid ejection device 100 and the user of the server 200. That is, hereinafter, the user of the liquid ejection device 100 will also be simply referred to as the user.

[0141] The control unit 4 of the liquid ejection device 100 functions as a processing control unit 40 in steps S100, S110, S112, S120, S140, S142, and S150 shown in Fig. 11. The control unit 4 also functions as a transmission control unit 42 in steps S114 and S122 shown in Fig. 11, and functions as a reception control unit 44 in step S130.

[0142] Furthermore, the control unit 204 of the server 200 functions as the adjustment control unit 210 in each of steps S200 to S240 shown in FIG.

[0143] First, in step S100, the liquid ejection device 100 determines whether to have the head manufacturer perform waveform adjustment, including determining an adjustment value for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa. For example, the process control unit 40 causes the display device 120 to display, as a GUI (Graphical User Interface), an operation button for selecting whether to have the head manufacturer perform waveform adjustment. Then, if having the head manufacturer perform waveform adjustment is selected using the operation button, the process control unit 40 determines to have the head manufacturer perform waveform adjustment. Furthermore, if not having the head manufacturer perform waveform adjustment is selected using the operation button, the process control unit 40 determines not to have the head manufacturer perform waveform adjustment. Note that waveform adjustment performed by the head manufacturer may mean, for example, that the server 200 performs the waveform adjustment, or that a user of the server 200 performs the waveform adjustment.

[0144] If the result of the determination in step S100 is positive, the process control unit 40 moves the process to step S110. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S100 is negative, the process control unit 40 moves the process to step S150.

[0145] In step S110, the liquid ejection device 100 accepts a selection as to whether or not to transmit condition information Cinf relating to the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1. For example, the process control unit 40 causes the display device 120 to display, as a GUI, an operation button for selecting whether or not to transmit the condition information Cinf to the server 200. In this way, the process control unit 40 accepts the user's selection as to whether or not to transmit the condition information Cinf to the server 200. This makes it possible to prevent the condition information Cinf from being transmitted to the server 200 against the user's intention.

[0146] Next, in step S112, the process control unit 40 determines whether or not to transmit the condition information Cinf to the server 200 based on the reception result in the process of step S110. For example, if it is selected in step S110 that the condition information Cinf should be transmitted to the server 200, the process control unit 40 determines that the condition information Cinf should be transmitted to the server 200. Furthermore, if it is selected in step S110 that the condition information Cinf should not be transmitted to the server 200, the process control unit 40 determines that the condition information Cinf should not be transmitted to the server 200.

[0147] If the result of the determination in step S112 is positive, the process control unit 40 moves the process to step S114. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S112 is negative, the process control unit 40 moves the process to step S120.

[0148] In step S114, the liquid ejection device 100 transmits the condition information Cinf to the server 200. For example, the transmission control unit 42 transmits the condition information Cinf to the server 200 via the communication unit 6.

[0149] As a result of the processing of step S114 being executed, the server 200 receives the condition information Cinf in step S200. For example, in step S200, the adjustment control unit 210 receives the condition information Cinf from the liquid ejection device 100 via the communication unit 206.

[0150] After executing the process of step S114, the transmission control unit 42 proceeds to step S120.

[0151] In step S120, the liquid ejection device 100 detects the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14. For example, the process control unit 40 causes the detection circuit 19 to detect the residual vibration. Specifically, the process control unit 40 drives the ejection unit D[m] that is the detection target for residual vibration detection in the drive mode for the ejection unit D that is the detection target described in FIG. 7. As a result, the detection circuit 19 detects the residual vibration of the diaphragm 14 after the piezoelectric element PZ[m] is driven, based on the detection signal Vout[m].

[0152] Next, in step S122, the liquid ejection device 100 transmits residual vibration information Vinf indicating the waveform of the residual vibration detected by the detection circuit 19 to the server 200. For example, the transmission control unit 42 transmits the residual vibration information Vinf to the server 200 via the communication unit 6.

[0153] As a result of the processing of step S122 being executed, the server 200 receives the residual vibration information Vinf in step S202. For example, in step S202, the adjustment control unit 210 receives the residual vibration information Vinf from the liquid ejection device 100 via the communication unit 206. After receiving the residual vibration information Vinf, the adjustment control unit 210 proceeds to the processing of step S210.

[0154] In step S210, the adjustment control unit 210 determines whether or not the condition information Cinf has been received from the liquid ejection device 100. If the result of the determination in step S210 is negative, the adjustment control unit 210 proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S210 is positive, the adjustment control unit 210 proceeds to step S212.

[0155] In step S212, the adjustment control unit 210 determines whether or not a use condition similar to the use condition indicated by the condition information Cinf received in step S200 is registered in the database DB. For example, the adjustment control unit 210 determines whether or not condition information Cinf indicating a use condition similar to the use condition indicated by the condition information Cinf received in step S200 is stored in the database DB. Note that use conditions similar to the use condition indicated by the condition information Cinf also include use conditions that match the use condition indicated by the condition information Cinf. Hereinafter, condition information Cinf indicating a use condition similar to the use condition indicated by one piece of condition information Cinf will also be referred to as condition information Cinf similar to one piece of condition information Cinf.

[0156] If the result of the determination in step S212 is negative, the adjustment control unit 210 proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S212 is positive, the adjustment control unit 210 proceeds to step S214. That is, if condition information Cinf indicating use conditions similar to the use conditions indicated by the condition information Cinf received in step S200 is searched from the database DB, the process of step S214 is executed.

[0157] In step S214, the adjustment control unit 210 determines whether a residual vibration similar to the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf received in step S202 is registered in a specific search target of the database DB. The specific search target of the database DB is, for example, the residual vibration information Vinf corresponding to the condition information Cinf searched in step S212. For example, the adjustment control unit 210 determines whether there is a residual vibration similar to the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf received in step S202 among the residual vibrations indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf corresponding to the condition information Cinf searched in step S212. Note that the residual vibration similar to the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf is a residual vibration that can be considered to match the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf, taking into account detection errors such as noise when detecting the residual vibration. Furthermore, the residual vibration similar to the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf also includes a residual vibration that matches the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf. Hereinafter, residual vibration information Vinf indicating residual vibration similar to the residual vibration indicated by one piece of residual vibration information Vinf will also be referred to as residual vibration information Vinf similar to the one piece of residual vibration information Vinf.

[0158] If the result of the determination in step S214 is negative, the adjustment control unit 210 moves the process to step S220. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S214 is positive, the adjustment control unit 210 moves the process to step S216. That is, if residual vibration information Vinf indicating residual vibration similar to the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf received in step S202 is searched for from the specific search target in the database DB, the process of step S216 is executed.

[0159] In step S216, the adjustment control unit 210 acquires, from the database DB, adjustment information Ainf corresponding to residual vibration information Vinf indicating a specific residual vibration similar to the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf received in step S202. The residual vibration information Vinf indicating the specific residual vibration is the residual vibration information Vinf searched for in step S214.

[0160] The adjustment information Ainf acquired in step S216 is an example of “specific adjustment information.” For example, the adjustment information Ainf acquired in step S216 is transmitted to the liquid ejection device 100 in step S240, which will be described later. As a result, in this embodiment, even if the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf received in step S202 includes detection errors such as noise, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of adjustment of the waveform of the drive signal COMa.

[0161] After executing the process of step S216, the adjustment control unit 210 proceeds to step S220.

[0162] In step S220, the adjustment control unit 210 analyzes the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf received in step S202. As a result, for example, the period, amplitude, amplitude attenuation rate, phase, etc. of the residual vibration are identified as described in FIG.

[0163] Next, in step S222, the adjustment control unit 210 generates at least one piece of adjustment information Ainf for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa based on the analysis result of the residual vibration.

[0164] Then, in step S240, the adjustment control unit 210 transmits the adjustment information Ainf to the liquid ejection device 100 via the communication unit 206. For example, if the processing of step S216 is executed, the adjustment control unit 210 transmits the adjustment information Ainf generated in step S222 and the adjustment information Ainf acquired in step S216 to the liquid ejection device 100 via the communication unit 206. Also, for example, if the processing of step S216 is not executed, the adjustment control unit 210 transmits the adjustment information Ainf generated in step S222 to the liquid ejection device 100 via the communication unit 206. Note that, for example, if multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf are generated in step S222, the multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf are transmitted from the server 200 to the liquid ejection device 100. Similarly, for example, if multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf are acquired in step S216, the multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf are transmitted from the server 200 to the liquid ejection device 100. In the following, the adjustment information Ainf acquired in step S216 and the adjustment information Ainf generated in step S222 may be referred to as residual vibration information Vinf generated by the head manufacturer without any particular distinction.

[0165] In this way, the liquid ejection device 100 executes a series of processes from step S110 to step S122, whereby head information required for waveform adjustment is provided from the liquid ejection device 100 to the server 200. The head information required for waveform adjustment includes residual vibration information Vinf indicating the waveform of the residual vibration detected by the detection circuit 19, and condition information Cinf related to the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1. Furthermore, the server 200 executes a series of processes from step S210 to step S240, whereby adjustment information Ainf is provided from the server 200 to the liquid ejection device 100. Hereinafter, the series of processes from step S110 to step S122 will also be referred to as head information provision processing, and the series of processes from step S210 to step S240 will also be referred to as adjustment information provision processing.

[0166] As a result of the processing of step S240 being executed, in step S130 the liquid ejection device 100 receives the residual vibration information Vinf generated by the head manufacturer. That is, in step S130, the reception control unit 44 receives the adjustment information Ainf generated by the head manufacturer from the server 200 via the communication unit 6.

[0167] For example, when the transmission control unit 42 transmits only the residual vibration information Vinf out of the residual vibration information Vinf and the condition information Cinf, the reception control unit 44 receives the adjustment information Ainf generated based on the residual vibration information Vinf from the server 200 via the communication unit 6. Note that, for example, when the transmission control unit 42 transmits the residual vibration information Vinf and the condition information Cinf, the type of residual vibration information Vinf received by the reception control unit 44 differs depending on whether specific adjustment information Ainf corresponding to the condition information Cinf is stored in the database DB. For example, when specific adjustment information Ainf corresponding to the condition information Cinf is not stored in the database DB, the reception control unit 44 receives the adjustment information Ainf generated based on the residual vibration information Vinf from the server 200 via the communication unit 6. Furthermore, when specific adjustment information Ainf corresponding to the condition information Cinf is stored in the database DB, the reception control unit 44 receives the specific adjustment information Ainf and the adjustment information Ainf generated based on the residual vibration information Vinf from the server 200 via the communication unit 6. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the specific adjustment information Ainf is adjustment information Ainf whose corresponding condition information Cinf and residual vibration information Vinf are similar to the condition information Cinf and residual vibration information Vinf transmitted from the transmission control unit 42, respectively.

[0168] After receiving the adjustment information Ainf, the reception control unit 44 proceeds to step S140.

[0169] In step S140, the liquid ejection device 100 accepts a selection as to whether or not to adopt the adjustment information Ainf transmitted from the server 200. For example, the process control unit 40 causes an operation button for selecting whether or not to adopt the adjustment information Ainf to be displayed on the display device 120 as a GUI. In this way, the process control unit 40 accepts the user's selection as to whether or not to adopt the adjustment information Ainf.

[0170] If multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf are transmitted from the server 200, the process control unit 40 receives, in step S140, a user selection as to whether or not to adopt each of the multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf. Furthermore, in step S140, the process control unit 40 may present the user with a waveform of the drive signal COMa adjusted based on the adjustment information Ainf. For example, the process control unit 40 may cause the display device 120 to display an image showing the waveform of the drive signal COMa adjusted based on the adjustment information Ainf.

[0171] Alternatively, the process control unit 40 may execute test printing using the drive signal COMa adjusted based on the adjustment information Ainf in step S140. In this case, the user can refer to the results of the test printing and decide whether or not to adopt the adjustment information Ainf.

[0172] Next, in step S142, the process control unit 40 determines whether to adopt the adjustment information Ainf based on the reception result in step S140. For example, if it is selected in step S140 that the adjustment information Ainf should be adopted, the process control unit 40 determines that the adjustment information Ainf should be adopted. Furthermore, if it is selected in step S140 that the adjustment information Ainf should not be adopted, the process control unit 40 determines that the adjustment information Ainf should not be adopted.

[0173] If the result of the determination in step S142 is positive, the operation of the liquid ejection system SYS for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa ends. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S142 is negative, the process control unit 40 proceeds to step S150.

[0174] In step S150, the processing control unit 40 causes the display device 120 to display a waveform adjustment screen for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa. This allows the user to manually adjust the waveform of the drive signal COMa. In this manner, in this embodiment, the user can select whether to have the head manufacturer adjust the waveform of the drive signal COMa, or to manually adjust the waveform of the drive signal COMa. As a result, in this embodiment, the usability of the liquid ejection device 100 can be improved. After the user manually adjusts the waveform of the drive signal COMa, the operation of the liquid ejection system SYS for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa ends.

[0175] In this way, in this embodiment, the head manufacturer can generate adjustment information Ainf for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa based on the residual vibration detected by the detection circuit 19. As a result, in this embodiment, even if the waveform of the residual vibration is significantly different from the waveform expected by the head manufacturer, the waveform of the drive signal COMa that drives the piezoelectric element PZ can be appropriately adjusted.

[0176] The operation of the liquid ejection system SYS is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 11. For example, the series of processes in steps S120 and S122 may be executed before the series of processes from step S110 to step S114, or may be executed in parallel with the series of processes from step S110 to step S114. In this case, the adjustment control unit 210 of the server 200 may execute the determination in step S210 after a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the residual vibration information Vinf.

[0177] Also, for example, some or all of the processing of step S100, the series of processing of steps S140 and S142, and the processing of step S150 may be omitted. In an aspect in which the processing of step S150 is omitted, if the result of the determination in step S100 or the result of the determination in step S142 is negative, the processing control unit 40 may end the operation shown in Fig. 11 without adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa.

[0178] Also, for example, the series of processes from step S110 to step S114, the process of step S200, and the series of processes from step S210 to step S116 may be omitted.

[0179] Also, for example, the processing of step S214 may be omitted. In this case, for example, in step S216, the adjustment control unit 210 may acquire, from the database DB, adjustment information Ainf corresponding to the condition information Cinf searched for in step S212. For example, if the adjustment values indicated by the adjustment information Ainf in the database DB have been verified by the head manufacturer for each use condition indicated by the condition information Cinf, it is considered possible to acquire appropriate adjustment information Ainf even if the processing of step S214 is omitted. For example, there is a high possibility that the adjustment information Ainf corresponding to the condition information Cinf searched for in step S212 is appropriate. Note that, if the processing of step S214 is omitted, the specific adjustment information Ainf is, for example, adjustment information Ainf whose corresponding condition information Cinf is similar to the condition information Cinf transmitted from the transmission control unit 42.

[0180] Furthermore, for example, the liquid ejection device 100 may temporarily terminate the operation for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa after executing the process of step S122. In this case, the server 200 may notify the liquid ejection device 100 that the adjustment information Ainf is ready before executing the process of step S240. Then, after being notified that the adjustment information Ainf is ready, the liquid ejection device 100 may resume the operation for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa by requesting the server 200 to send the adjustment information Ainf at any timing. For example, the server 200 that has been requested to send the adjustment information Ainf executes the process of step S240.

[0181] Furthermore, for example, the liquid ejection system SYS may provide feedback to the head manufacturer on the results of adopting the adjustment information Ainf generated by the head manufacturer, as shown in FIG.

[0182] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the operation of the liquid ejection system SYS when adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa. The operation shown in Fig. 12 is the same as the operation shown in Fig. 11, except that a series of processes from steps S160 to S164 and a series of processes from steps S260 and S262 have been added to the operation shown in Fig. 11. Note that in Fig. 12, for ease of viewing, the series of processes from steps S110 to S122 are shown collectively as head information provision processing, and the series of processes from steps S210 to S240 are shown collectively as adjustment information provision processing.

[0183] 12, a series of processes from step S160 to step S164 and a series of processes from step S260 to S262 will be described. The control unit 4 of the liquid ejection device 100 functions as the process control unit 40 in each of steps S160 to S164. Furthermore, the control unit 204 of the server 200 functions as the adjustment control unit 210 in each of steps S260 and S262.

[0184] The process of step S160 is executed when the result of the determination in step S142 is positive, or after the process of step S150 is executed.

[0185] In step S160, the process control unit 40 accepts a selection of whether or not to feed back the results of adopting the adjustment information Ainf to the head manufacturer. For example, the process control unit 40 displays, as a GUI, an operation button on the display device 120 for selecting whether or not to feed back the results of adopting the adjustment information Ainf to the head manufacturer. In this way, the process control unit 40 accepts the user's selection of whether or not to feed back the results of adopting the adjustment information Ainf to the head manufacturer.

[0186] Next, in step S162, the process control unit 40 determines whether to transmit feedback information FBinf including adoption information indicating the adoption result of the adjustment information Ainf to the server 200, based on the reception result in the process of step S160. For example, if it is selected in step S160 to transmit the feedback information FBinf to the server 200, the process control unit 40 determines to transmit the feedback information FBinf to the server 200. Furthermore, if it is selected in step S160 not to transmit the feedback information FBinf to the server 200, the process control unit 40 determines not to transmit the feedback information FBinf to the server 200.

[0187] In addition to the adoption information, the feedback information FBinf may also include reason information indicating the reason for adopting or rejecting the adjustment information Ainf. In this case, for example, in step S160, the process control unit 40 further accepts a user's selection as to whether or not to feed back the reason for adopting or rejecting the adjustment information Ainf to the head manufacturer.

[0188] If the result of the determination in step S162 is positive, the process control unit 40 moves the process to step S164. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S162 is negative, the operation of the liquid ejection system SYS for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa ends.

[0189] In step S164, the liquid ejection device 100 transmits the feedback information FBinf to the server 200. For example, the transmission control unit 42 transmits the feedback information FBinf to the server 200 via the communication unit 6.

[0190] As a result of the processing of step S164 being executed, the server 200 receives the feedback information FBinf in step S260. For example, in step S260, the adjustment control unit 210 receives the feedback information FBinf from the liquid ejection device 100 via the communication unit 206. After receiving the feedback information FBinf, the adjustment control unit 210 proceeds to the processing of step S262.

[0191] In step S262, the adjustment control unit 210 updates the database DB based on the feedback information FBinf. For example, the adjustment control unit 210 stores in the database DB, in association with one another, the adjustment information Ainf, the condition information Cinf, and the residual vibration information Vinf, along with adoption information indicating the result of adopting the adjustment information Ainf. Note that if the feedback information FBinf includes reason information indicating the reason for adopting or rejecting the adjustment information Ainf, the adjustment control unit 210 may store the reason information in association with the residual vibration information Vinf, etc., in the database DB in step S262. Execution of the process of step S262 terminates the operation of the liquid ejection system SYS for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa.

[0192] 12, the results of adopting the adjustment information Ainf are fed back to the head manufacturer, thereby improving the accuracy of adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COMa, which is adjusted based on the adjustment information Ainf generated by the head manufacturer. Note that in order to efficiently execute feedback, a special benefit may be given to the user who has permitted feedback.

[0193] As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid ejection system SYS includes a liquid ejection head 1, a transmission control unit 42, and a reception control unit 44. The liquid ejection head 1 includes a nozzle N, a piezoelectric element PZ that is driven by a supplied drive signal COM, a diaphragm 14 that vibrates when the piezoelectric element PZ is driven, a pressure chamber CV that is filled with ink and to which pressure for ejecting ink from the nozzle N is applied by the vibration of the diaphragm 14, and a detection circuit 19 that detects residual vibration of the diaphragm 14 after the piezoelectric element PZ is driven. The transmission control unit 42 transmits residual vibration information Vinf that indicates the residual vibration detected by the detection circuit 19 to the server 200. The reception control unit 44 receives adjustment information Ainf from the server 200 that is generated based on the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf and is used to adjust the waveform of the drive signal COM.

[0194] As described above, in this embodiment, the adjustment information Ainf for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COM is generated based on the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf and is provided from the server 200. As a result, in this embodiment, even if the manufacturer that uses the liquid ejection head 1 does not have the know-how for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal COM, the waveform of the drive signal COMa can be appropriately adjusted based on the adjustment information Ainf provided from the server 200. Therefore, in this embodiment, the waveform of the drive signal COMa that drives the piezoelectric element PZ can be appropriately and easily determined.

[0195] Furthermore, this embodiment may further include a processing control unit 40 that accepts a user's selection as to whether or not to transmit condition information Cinf related to the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1 to the server 200. When the user selects to transmit the condition information Cinf to the server 200, the transmission control unit 42 transmits the condition information Cinf to the server 200. This allows the reception control unit 44 to acquire adjustment information Ainf based on the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1 from the server 200. As a result, this embodiment allows the reception control unit 44 to efficiently receive adjustment information Ainf that appropriately adjusts the waveform of the drive signal COMa. Furthermore, this embodiment allows the user to select whether or not to transmit the condition information Cinf to the server 200, thereby preventing the condition information Cinf from being transmitted to the server 200 against the user's intention.

[0196] In this embodiment, the condition information Cinf may also include information about the type of ink. In this case, the adjustment information Ainf according to the type of ink can be efficiently provided to the reception control unit 44.

[0197] In this embodiment, the condition information Cinf may include information related to temperature. In this case, the adjustment information Ainf according to the temperature of the ink or the like inside the liquid ejection head 1 can be efficiently provided to the reception control unit 44.

[0198] In this embodiment, the condition information Cinf may include information related to pressure. In this case, the adjustment information Ainf according to the pressure of the pressure chamber CV or the like can be efficiently provided to the reception control unit 44.

[0199] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the transmission control unit 42 transmits the residual vibration information Vinf and the condition information Cinf, and when the specific adjustment information Ainf corresponding to the condition information Cinf is stored in the database DB referenced by the server 200, the reception control unit 44 may receive the specific adjustment information Ainf from the server 200. In this case, even if the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information Vinf transmitted by the transmission control unit 42 includes detection errors such as noise, the use of the specific adjustment information Ainf can prevent a decrease in the accuracy of adjustment of the waveform of the drive signal COMa.

[0200] Furthermore, this embodiment may further include a processing control unit 40 that receives a user's selection as to whether or not to adopt the adjustment information Ainf. The transmission control unit 42 transmits adoption information indicating the result of adopting the adjustment information Ainf to the server 200. In this case, the result of adopting the adjustment information Ainf, etc. is fed back to the server 200, thereby improving the adjustment accuracy of the waveform of the drive signal COMa that is adjusted using the adjustment information Ainf generated based on the residual vibration information Vinf transmitted to the server 200.

[0201] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the server 200 may store the adoption information in the database DB in association with the residual vibration information Vinf. In this case, the adoption results of multiple pieces of adjustment information Ainf are accumulated in the database DB, and therefore, the adjustment accuracy of the waveform of the drive signal COMa, which is adjusted using the adjustment information Ainf transmitted from the server 200, can be improved.

[0202] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid ejection head 1 has a plurality of nozzles N. The transmission control unit 42 may transmit information indicating only the residual vibration corresponding to one nozzle N that represents the plurality of nozzles N to the server 200 as residual vibration information Vinf. In this case, it is not necessary to detect the residual vibration for multiple nozzles N in order to adjust the waveform of the drive signal COMa, and therefore it is possible to prevent the detection of residual vibration from becoming complicated. Note that adjustment of the waveform of the drive signal COMa is specified for each liquid ejection head 1. For this reason, even when the waveform of the drive signal COMa is adjusted using adjustment information Ainf generated based on the residual vibration corresponding to one nozzle N, the waveform of the drive signal COMa can be appropriately adjusted.

[0203] [2. Modifications] Each of the above embodiments can be modified in various ways. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be combined as appropriate within a range that does not contradict each other. In the modified examples exemplified below, elements whose actions and functions are equivalent to those of the embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals as in the above description, and detailed descriptions of each will be omitted as appropriate.

[0204] [First Modification] In the above-described embodiment, the server 200 may determine the ejection state of the nozzles N of the liquid ejection head 1. For example, the server 200 may determine the ejection state of each of the multiple nozzles N based on the residual vibration corresponding to each nozzle N. In this case, the detection circuit 19 of the liquid ejection head 1, for example, individually detects the residual vibration of the multiple ejectors D corresponding to the multiple nozzles N. Then, the transmission control unit 42 individually transmits residual vibration information Vinf indicating the residual vibration of each of the multiple ejectors D to the server 200 via the communication unit 6. Therefore, in this modification, for example, when the waveform of the drive signal COMa is adjusted, only the residual vibration corresponding to one nozzle N representative of the multiple nozzles N is detected, and when the ejection state of the nozzle N is determined, residual vibration is detected for the multiple nozzles N.

[0205] As described above, in this modification, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modification can be obtained. Furthermore, in this modification, it is possible to have the server 200 determine the ejection state of the multiple nozzles N.

[0206] [Second Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, if the adjustment information Ainf is not adopted, the head manufacturer may be instructed to repeatedly generate the adjustment information Ainf. For example, if the determination result in step S142 is negative, the process control unit 40 of the liquid ejection head 1 may instruct the server 200 to execute the adjustment information provision process, which is a series of processes from step S120 to step S240, again. In this case, the transmission control unit 42 of the liquid ejection head 1 may transmit information indicating the results of test printing using the drive signal COMa adjusted based on the rejected adjustment information Ainf to the server 200 via the communication unit 6. Furthermore, the transmission control unit 42 may transmit condition information Cinf indicating the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head 1 during test printing to the server 200 via the communication unit 6. Alternatively, if the determination result in step S142 is negative, the process control unit 40 of the liquid ejection head 1 may return the process to step S100. As described above, this modified example also achieves the same effects as the above-described embodiment and modified examples. Furthermore, in this modification, the server 200 can be caused to repeatedly execute the adjustment information providing process, which increases the likelihood that the server 200 will provide appropriate adjustment information Ainf.

[0207] [Third Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, one piezoelectric element PZ, one pressure chamber CV, and one nozzle N are provided for one discharge portion D, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one discharge portion D may have two piezoelectric elements PZ, two pressure chambers CV, and one nozzle N. As described above, in this modified example, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment and modified example can be obtained.

[0208] [Fourth Modification] In the above-described embodiment and modified example, a serial-type liquid ejection device 100 in which a carriage 91 carrying a liquid ejection head 1 is reciprocated in the X-axis direction is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the liquid ejection device 100 may be a line-type liquid ejection device in which multiple nozzles N are distributed across the entire width of the medium PP. As described above, this modified example can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment and modified example.

[0209] [Fifth Modification] The liquid ejection device 100 exemplified in the above-described embodiment and modified example can be employed in various devices such as facsimile machines and copiers, as well as devices dedicated to printing. However, the use of the liquid ejection device of the present invention is not limited to printing. For example, a liquid ejection device that ejects a solution of a color material is used as a manufacturing device for forming color filters for liquid crystal display devices. Furthermore, a liquid ejection device that ejects a solution of a conductive material is used as a manufacturing device for forming wiring and electrodes for wiring boards. As described above, this modified example can also achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiment and modified example.

[0210] [3. Notes] From the above-described exemplary embodiments, the following configurations can be understood, for example.

[0211] A liquid ejection system according to a preferred embodiment, embodiment 1, comprises a liquid ejection head, a transmission control unit, and a reception control unit, wherein the liquid ejection head has a nozzle, a piezoelectric element that is driven by a drive signal supplied thereto, a vibration plate that vibrates when the piezoelectric element is driven, a pressure chamber that is filled with liquid and to which pressure for ejecting liquid from the nozzle is applied by the vibration of the vibration plate, and a detection unit that detects residual vibration of the vibration plate after the piezoelectric element is driven, and the transmission control unit transmits residual vibration information indicating the residual vibration detected by the detection unit to a server, and the reception control unit receives adjustment information from the server that is generated based on the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information and is used to adjust the waveform of the drive signal. According to the first aspect, the waveform of the drive signal can be appropriately and simply adjusted based on the adjustment information provided by the server. That is, in this aspect, the waveform of the drive signal that drives the piezoelectric element can be appropriately and easily determined.

[0212] A liquid ejection system according to aspect 2, which is a specific example of aspect 1, further includes a reception unit that receives a user's selection as to whether or not to send condition information regarding the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head to the server, and the transmission control unit transmits the condition information to the server when it is selected to send the condition information to the server. According to aspect 2, adjustment information based on the usage conditions of the liquid ejection head can be acquired from the server. Furthermore, in this aspect, the user can choose whether or not to send the condition information to the server, which prevents the condition information from being sent to the server against the user's intention.

[0213] In the liquid ejection system according to Aspect 3, which is a specific example of Aspect 2, the condition information includes information on the type of liquid. According to the third aspect, adjustment information according to the type of liquid can be efficiently provided to the reception control unit.

[0214] In the liquid ejection system according to Aspect 4, which is a specific example of Aspect 2 or Aspect 3, the condition information includes information related to temperature. According to the fourth aspect, adjustment information according to the temperature of the liquid or the like inside the liquid ejection head can be efficiently provided to the reception control section.

[0215] In a liquid ejection system according to Aspect 5, which is a specific example of any one of Aspects 2 to 4, the condition information includes information related to pressure. According to the fifth aspect, adjustment information according to the pressure of the pressure chamber or the like can be efficiently provided to the reception control unit.

[0216] In a liquid ejection system according to aspect 6, which is a specific example of any one of aspects 2 to 5, when the transmission control unit transmits the residual vibration information and the condition information, and when specific adjustment information corresponding to the condition information is stored in a database referenced by the server, the receiving control unit receives the specific adjustment information from the server. According to aspect 6, even if the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information transmitted by the transmission control unit contains detection errors such as noise, by using specific adjustment information, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of adjusting the waveform of the drive signal.

[0217] In a liquid ejection system according to aspect 7, which is a specific example of aspect 6, when the transmission control unit transmits only the residual vibration information out of the residual vibration information and the condition information, the receiving control unit receives from the server the adjustment information generated based on the residual vibration information. In the seventh aspect as well, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of adjustment of the waveform of the drive signal.

[0218] The liquid ejection system according to aspect 8, which is a specific example of any one of aspects 1 to 7, further has a reception unit that receives a user's selection as to whether or not to adopt the adjustment information, and the transmission control unit transmits adoption information indicating the result of adopting the adjustment information to the server. According to aspect 8, the results of adopting the adjustment information are fed back to the server, thereby improving the adjustment accuracy of the waveform of the drive signal that is adjusted using the adjustment information generated based on the residual vibration information sent to the server.

[0219] In the liquid ejection system according to Aspect 9, which is a specific example of Aspect 8, the server stores the employment information in a storage unit in association with the residual vibration information. According to the ninth aspect, the results of adopting multiple pieces of adjustment information are stored in the storage unit, thereby improving the adjustment accuracy of the waveform of the drive signal that is adjusted using the adjustment information transmitted from the server.

[0220] In a liquid ejection system according to aspect 10, which is a specific example of any one of aspects 1 to 9, the liquid ejection head has a plurality of the nozzles, and the transmission control unit transmits information indicating only the residual vibration corresponding to one nozzle that represents the plurality of nozzles to the server as the residual vibration information. According to the tenth aspect, when residual vibration is detected in order to adjust the waveform of the drive signal, it is possible to prevent the detection of residual vibration from becoming complicated.

[0221] In a liquid ejection system according to aspect 11, which is a specific example of aspect 10, when the ejection status of the plurality of nozzles is determined by the server, the detection unit individually detects residual vibrations corresponding to the plurality of nozzles, and the transmission control unit individually transmits the residual vibration information indicating the residual vibrations corresponding to each of the plurality of nozzles to the server. According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to have the server determine the ejection states of a plurality of nozzles.

[0222] A liquid ejection system according to another preferred aspect, aspect 12, comprises a communication device for communicating with a server, a liquid ejection head, a transmission control unit, and a reception control unit, wherein the liquid ejection head has a nozzle, a piezoelectric element that is driven by a drive signal supplied thereto, a vibration plate that vibrates when the piezoelectric element is driven, a pressure chamber filled with liquid and in which pressure for ejecting liquid from the nozzle is applied by the vibration of the vibration plate, and a detection unit that detects residual vibration of the vibration plate after the piezoelectric element is driven, and the transmission control unit transmits residual vibration information indicating the residual vibration detected by the detection unit to the server via the communication device, and the reception control unit receives adjustment information for adjusting the waveform of the drive signal from the server via the communication device, the adjustment information being generated based on the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information. In the twelfth aspect as well, the waveform of the drive signal for driving the piezoelectric element can be determined appropriately and easily.

[0223] Furthermore, a liquid ejection device according to aspect 13, which is a preferred aspect, comprises a liquid ejection head, a transmission control unit, and a reception control unit, wherein the liquid ejection head has a nozzle, a piezoelectric element that is driven by a drive signal supplied thereto, a vibration plate that vibrates when the piezoelectric element is driven, a pressure chamber that is filled with liquid and to which pressure for ejecting liquid from the nozzle is applied by the vibration of the vibration plate, and a detection unit that detects residual vibration of the vibration plate after the piezoelectric element is driven, and the transmission control unit transmits residual vibration information indicating the residual vibration detected by the detection unit to a server, and the reception control unit receives adjustment information from the server that is generated based on the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information and is used to adjust the waveform of the drive signal. In the thirteenth aspect as well, the waveform of the drive signal for driving the piezoelectric element can be determined appropriately and easily. [Explanation of symbols]

[0224] 1...liquid ejection head, 2...drive signal generation unit, 3...generation circuit, 4...control unit, 5...storage unit, 7...maintenance unit, 8...medium transport mechanism, 9...carriage transport mechanism, 10...recording head, 18...switching circuit, 19...detection circuit, 40...processing control unit, 42...transmission control unit, 44...reception control unit, 100...liquid ejection device, 120...display device, 200...server, 204...control unit, 205...storage unit, 206...communication unit, 210...adjustment control unit, CT...ink container, CV...pressure chamber, D...ejection unit, N...nozzle, PP...medium, PZ...piezoelectric element.

Claims

1. a liquid ejection head, a transmission control unit, and a reception control unit; The liquid ejection head includes: A nozzle; a piezoelectric element that is driven by a drive signal; a vibration plate that vibrates when driven by the piezoelectric element; a pressure chamber filled with liquid, and pressure for discharging the liquid from the nozzle is applied by vibration of the vibration plate; a detection unit that detects residual vibration of the diaphragm after the piezoelectric element is driven; and The transmission control unit transmitting residual vibration information indicating the residual vibration detected by the detection unit to a server; The reception control unit receiving, from the server, adjustment information for adjusting a waveform of the drive signal, the adjustment information being generated based on the residual vibration indicated by the residual vibration information; A liquid ejection system comprising:

2. a receiving unit that receives a user's selection as to whether or not to transmit condition information relating to the use conditions of the liquid ejection head to the server; The transmission control unit If it is selected to transmit the condition information to the server, transmitting the condition information to the server; The liquid ejection system according to claim 1 .

3. the condition information includes information regarding the type of liquid; The liquid ejection system according to claim 2 .

4. the condition information includes information related to temperature; The liquid ejection system according to claim 2 .

5. The condition information includes information regarding pressure. The liquid ejection system according to claim 2 .

6. The reception control unit When the transmission control unit has transmitted the residual vibration information and the condition information, and when specific adjustment information corresponding to the condition information is stored in a database referenced by the server, the specific adjustment information is received from the server. The liquid ejection system according to claim 2 .

7. a receiving unit that receives a user's selection as to whether or not to adopt the adjustment information; The transmission control unit sending employment information indicating the employment result of the adjustment information to the server; 3. The liquid ejection system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection system includes a nozzle.

8. The server storing the employment information in a storage unit in association with the residual vibration information; The liquid ejection system according to claim 7 .

9. the liquid ejection head has a plurality of the nozzles, The transmission control unit transmitting information indicating only the residual vibration corresponding to one nozzle that represents the plurality of nozzles to the server as the residual vibration information; The liquid ejection system according to claim 1 .

Images