Printing apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To improve user convenience.SOLUTION: A processor 2a calculates, in a path E which is an example of a case in which a startup process A is completed before a startup process C, a path remaining time required until a plurality of startup processes are completed. The processor 2a also calculates, in a path A which is an example of a case in which the startup process A is completed after the startup process C, a path remaining time required until the plurality of startup processes are completed. The processor 2a outputs, to a display device 2c, progress conditions of the plurality of startup processes on the basis of the path remaining time of the path E and the path remaining time of the path A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for heating UV ink in an inkjet printing device. Specifically, the device includes an ink flow path connecting an ink cartridge and a liquid ejection head, a circulation flow path in contact with the ink flow path, and a heater for heating the circulating liquid flowing through the circulation flow path. When the printing device is turned on, the circulating liquid flowing through the circulation flow path is heated by the heater, thereby heating the UV ink flowing through the ink flow path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-195911 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, after a printing device is turned on, it must go through multiple startup processes before it can actually accept a print job. Heating ink, as described in Patent Document 1, is one example of multiple startup processes. However, the time required for some startup processes is uncertain and varies depending on factors such as the state of the printing device when it is turned on. For this reason, it has not been possible to present the progress of the startup processes of the printing device to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Provided is a printing device that includes a printing unit that prints by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium, and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes multiple startup processes, including at least a first startup process, a second startup process, and a third startup process, wherein the first startup process and the second startup process can be executed in parallel, and the third startup process can be executed on the condition that the first startup process and the second startup process are completed; the control unit predicts a first required time that is the time required for the first startup process before execution of the first startup process; calculates a first remaining time that is the time required for the multiple startup processes to be completed when the first startup process is completed before the second startup process; calculates a second remaining time that is the time required for the multiple startup processes to be completed when the first startup process is completed after the second startup process; and outputs a progress status of the multiple startup processes to a display device based on the first remaining time and the second remaining time.

[0006] Provided is a control method for a printing device including a printing unit that prints by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium and a control unit, the control method executing multiple startup processes including at least a first startup process, a second startup process, and a third startup process, wherein the first startup process and the second startup process can be executed in parallel, and the third startup process can be executed on the condition that the first startup process and the second startup process are completed; predicting a first required time that is the time required for the first startup process before execution of the first startup process; calculating a first remaining time that is the time required for the multiple startup processes to be completed when the first startup process is completed before the second startup process; calculating a second remaining time that is the time required for the multiple startup processes to be completed when the first startup process is completed after the second startup process; and outputting a progress status of the multiple startup processes to a display device based on the first remaining time and the second remaining time.

[0007] A program is provided to cause a control unit of a printing device, which includes a printing unit that prints by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium, to execute a plurality of startup processes, including at least a first startup process, a second startup process, and a third startup process, wherein the first startup process and the second startup process can be executed in parallel, and the third startup process can be executed on the condition that the first startup process and the second startup process are completed; to predict a first required time that is the time required for the first startup process before execution of the first startup process; to calculate a first remaining time that is the time required for the plurality of startup processes to be completed when the first startup process is completed before the second startup process; to calculate a second remaining time that is the time required for the plurality of startup processes to be completed when the first startup process is completed after the second startup process; and to output a progress status of the plurality of startup processes to a display device based on the first remaining time and the second remaining time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a printing system (first embodiment). [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the processing order of a plurality of startup processes constituting the device startup process (first embodiment). [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a route configuration (first embodiment). [Figure 4] 1 is a data structure diagram of a time management database (first embodiment). [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a startup process list (first embodiment). [Figure 6] 1 is a control flow of a printing device (first embodiment). [Figure 7] 1 is a control flow of a printing device (first embodiment). [Figure 8] 1 is a control flow of a printing device (first embodiment). [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an output from a display device (first embodiment). [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an output from a display device (first embodiment). [Figure 11]10 is a diagram showing an example of an output from a display device (first embodiment). [Figure 12] 10 is a control flow of a printing device (second embodiment). [Figure 13] 10 is a control flow of a printing device (second embodiment). [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing the processing order of a plurality of startup processes constituting the device startup process (third embodiment). [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a route (third embodiment). [Figure 16] 10 is a graph for solving a two-vertex pair shortest path problem (fourth embodiment). [Figure 17] 10 is a control flow of a printing device (fourth embodiment). [Figure 18] 10 is a control flow of a printing device (fourth embodiment). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0010] (Term definition) In this specification, the following terms are defined and used as follows.

[0011] The route time is calculated for each route and is the time required from the start of at least one of the multiple startup processes that make up the route to the completion of all of the multiple startup processes that make up the route. The route elapsed time is calculated for each route and is the sum of the elapsed times of the multiple startup processes that make up that route. The remaining route time is calculated for each route and is the time obtained by subtracting the elapsed route time from the required route time.

[0012] The total required time is the time required from the start of the device startup process to its completion. The total remaining time is the time required from the current time until the device startup process is completed, and is the time that users are most interested in. The printing device is ready to accept print jobs only after the device startup process is complete. The device startup process consists of multiple startup processes.

[0013] The time required for the startup process is the time required from the start of the startup process to the end of the startup process. The elapsed time of the startup process is the time that has elapsed since the startup process started. The remaining time for the startup process is the time required for the startup process minus the elapsed time.

[0014] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a printing system 1. As shown in Figure 1, the printing system 1 includes a printing device 2, a first user terminal 3, and a second user terminal 4.

[0015] The printing device 2 is typically an inkjet industrial printer. This type of printing device 2 undergoes various startup processes from when it is turned on until it is ready to accept a print job. It typically takes about 10 to 30 minutes for all of these startup processes to be completed. If the user could know when all of these startup processes would be completed, they would be able to leave the printing device 2 and work on other tasks. Therefore, the printing device 2 of this embodiment is configured to notify the user when all of these startup processes will be completed. This is expected to improve user convenience.

[0016] Although an inkjet industrial printer has been mentioned as an example of the printing device 2, the printing device 2 is not limited to this. The printing device 2 may be a home printer or an electrophotographic printer.

[0017] The first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4 are typically terminals that can communicate with the printing device 2 via a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0018] The first user terminal 3 is typically a laptop computer or a desktop computer. The first user terminal 3 transmits a print job to the printing device 2, the print job including print data converted from image data generated by a user operating an application. The first user terminal 3 has a display device 3a. The display device 3a is typically an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode).

[0019] The second user terminal 4 is typically a mobile terminal that can be carried by a user, such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The second user terminal 4 has a display device 4a. The display device 4a is typically an LCD or OLED.

[0020] The printing system 1 includes the printing device 2, the first user terminal 3, and the second user terminal 4, but alternatively, either or both of the first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4 may be omitted.

[0021] The printing device 2 includes a processor 2a, a memory 2b, a display device 2c, a communication interface 2d, and a printing unit 2e. The processor 2a is a specific example of a control unit. The processor 2a communicates with the first user terminal 3 and the second user terminal 4 via the communication interface 2d. The processor 2a reads and executes programs stored in the memory 2b. As a result, the programs perform various information processing according to the procedures defined in the programs. The memory 2b is realized by a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The display device 2c is typically an LCD or OLED. The printing unit 2e prints print jobs received from the first user terminal 3.

[0022] The printing unit 2 e includes an ink ejection head 20 , a carriage 21 , a carriage drive motor 22 , a platen 23 , an ink tank 24 , an ink circulation channel 25 , a pump 26 , a heater 27 , a temperature sensor 28 , and a medium transport motor 29 .

[0023] The ink ejection head 20 has multiple nozzles and ejects ink from the nozzles onto the printing medium using an inkjet method in response to ejection control signals received from the processor 2a. The ink is a specific example of a liquid. The ink is typically UV ink (Ultra Violet).

[0024] The carriage 21 carries the ink ejection head 20 and moves back and forth along the main scanning direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium. A carriage drive motor 22 moves the carriage 21 along the main scanning direction in response to a drive control signal received from the processor 2a. A platen 23 is provided on the opposite side of the print medium from the ink ejection head 20. Ink ejected from the ink ejection head 20 is applied to the print medium between the ink ejection head 20 and the platen 23.

[0025] The ink tanks 24 store ink. Typically, the ink tanks 24 are provided for each type of ink, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, black, white, an overcoat treatment agent, and a pretreatment agent.

[0026] The ink circulation flow path 25 connects the ink tank 24 and the ink ejection head 20. The ink circulation flow path 25 includes a supply flow path that supplies ink from the ink tank 24 to the ink ejection head 20, and a recovery flow path that recovers ink from the ink ejection head 20 and stores it in the ink tank 24. The ink circulation flow path 25 is provided with a pump 26, which circulates ink within the ink circulation flow path 25 in response to a circulation control signal received from the processor 2a.

[0027] The heater 27 is a specific example of a heating device that heats ink. The heater 27 heats the ink in response to a heating control signal received from the processor 2a. The heater 27 may heat the ink by directly contacting the ink. The heater 27 may heat the ink indirectly by heating another liquid. The heater 27 may heat the ink indirectly by increasing the temperature inside the printing device 2. The heater 27 may heat the platen instead of heating the ink. The heater 27 may simply increase the temperature inside the printing device instead of heating the ink.

[0028] The temperature sensor 28 measures the temperature of the ink. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 28 may measure the temperature inside the printing device 2, or may measure the outside air temperature.

[0029] The medium transport motor 29 transports the print medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in response to a transport control signal received from the processor 2a.

[0030] The processor 2a executes the device startup process required from when the printing device 2 is powered on until it is ready to actually accept a print job. The device startup process is made up of multiple startup processes. FIG. 2 shows an example of the execution order of the multiple startup processes. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the multiple startup processes include startup process A, startup process B, startup process C, startup process D, startup process E, startup process F, and startup process G.

[0031] In Figure 2, when two startup processes are connected in series, it means that the downstream startup process can be executed on the condition that the upstream startup process is completed. When two startup processes are connected in parallel, it means that the two startup processes can be executed simultaneously in parallel.

[0032] Therefore, startup process A can be executed simultaneously in parallel with startup processes B, C, and D. Startup processes C and D can be executed simultaneously in parallel with each other. Startup processes F and G can be executed simultaneously in parallel with each other.

[0033] Start-up processes C and D can be executed on the condition that start-up process B has been completed. Start-up process E can be executed on the condition that start-up processes A, C, and D have been completed. Start-up processes F and G can be executed on the condition that start-up process E has been completed.

[0034] Therefore, when the printing device 2 is powered on, processor 2a simultaneously starts startup processes A and B. When startup process B is complete, processor 2a simultaneously starts startup processes C and D. When startup processes A, C, and D are all complete, processor 2a starts startup process E. When startup process E is complete, processor 2a simultaneously starts startup processes F and G. When startup processes F and G are both complete, processor 2a ends the device startup process.

[0035] Therefore, if the startup process A is completed but either the startup process C or the startup process D is not completed, the processor 2a cannot start the startup process E. Similarly, if the startup process F is completed but the startup process G is not completed, the processor 2a cannot end the device startup process.

[0036] The following describes a number of startup processes in detail, but the descriptions of each startup process are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0037] The startup process A heats the ink to a predetermined temperature by sending a heating control signal to the heater 27. Therefore, the required time TA for the startup process A typically varies depending on the room temperature. For example, if the predetermined temperature is 25°C and the room temperature is 15°C, the required time TA is 5 minutes. If the room temperature is 10°C, the required time TA will be longer than 5 minutes, e.g., 7 minutes. Therefore, the required time TA for the startup process A fluctuates each time the printer 2 is powered on. In other words, it is unknown until the printer 2 is powered on. The processor 2a predicts the required time TA based on the measurement results of the temperature sensor 28 before the startup process A is executed. Here, "before the startup process A is executed" refers to the period from when the printer 2 is powered on until the startup process A is completed. The processor 2a predicts the required time TA based on the measurement results of the temperature sensor 28 by referencing a required time prediction table stored in the memory 2b. In this case, the required time prediction table is a table showing the correspondence between the measurement results of the temperature sensor 28 and the required time TA. Note that, instead of heating the ink, the startup process A may be a process of raising the internal temperature of the printing device 2 to a predetermined temperature, or a process of heating the platen 23 to a predetermined temperature. The startup process A includes a prediction process that predicts the required time TA based on the measurement results of the temperature sensor 28.

[0038] Startup process B is a process related to preparation of the ink ejection head 20. Preparation of the ink ejection head 20 specifically refers to electrical processing in the drive circuit provided in the ink ejection head 20 for the purpose of controlling drive elements such as piezoelectric elements, such as initializing the drive circuit and checking in advance whether the drive circuit is normal. Therefore, the time TB required for startup process B does not change each time the printer 2 is powered on; in other words, it can be said that it is known before the printer 2 is powered on. The required time TB is typically one minute.

[0039] The startup process C is a process related to maintenance of the ink ejection head 20. In the startup process C, the ink meniscus in the nozzles of the ink ejection head 20 is vibrated for a predetermined period of time, thereby agitating the ink in the nozzles. Therefore, the time TC required for the startup process C does not change each time the printing device 2 is turned on; in other words, it can be said that the time TC is known before the printing device 2 is turned on. The required time TC is typically three minutes.

[0040] Startup process D is a process related to preparation of the carriage drive motor 22, medium transport motor 29, and pump 26. In startup process D, trial runs of the carriage drive motor 22, medium transport motor 29, and pump 26 are performed for a predetermined time. Therefore, the time TD required for startup process D does not change each time the printing device 2 is powered on; in other words, it can be said that the time TD is known before the printing device 2 is powered on. The required time TD is typically one minute.

[0041] Startup process E is a process that circulates ink within the ink circulation path 25 for a predetermined time by sending a circulation control signal to the pump 26. Therefore, the time TE required for startup process E does not vary each time the printing device 2 is turned on; in other words, it can be said that it is known before the printing device 2 is turned on. The required time TE is typically three minutes. Note that because the circulatory flow of ink during startup process E is affected by the viscosity of the ink, startup process E is executed after startup processes A and C are completed.

[0042] The startup process F is a process related to flushing the ink ejection head 20. Specifically, the startup process F removes ink near the nozzles of the ink ejection head 20 to eliminate increased viscosity due to drying of ink on the ink ejection surface and in the nozzles, and expels air bubbles from within the nozzles. Therefore, the time TF required for the startup process F increases or decreases depending on the condition of the area near the nozzles of the ink ejection head 20. In the startup process F, the processor 2a uses piezoelectric elements provided in the nozzles as actuators to deform the ink within the nozzles to check the nozzle condition, and also uses the piezoelectric elements as sensors to determine whether ink is being ejected normally from the nozzles, whether air bubbles are preventing ejection within the nozzles, and whether the ink viscosity is appropriate. The processor 2a predicts the processing time for the flushing process based on the results of this determination. Therefore, the time TF required for the startup process F is a value that fluctuates each time the printing device 2 is powered on; in other words, it is unknown until the printing device 2 is powered on. The processor 2a typically predicts the required time TF at the start of execution of the startup process F. The required time TF for the startup process F is typically set to approximately 0 to 9 minutes. For convenience, the required time TF is treated as 5 minutes, which is the median value of the required time TF, until the startup process F is executed. Alternatively, the required time TF may be treated as the value previously predicted by the processor 2a until the startup process F is executed. The startup process F includes a prediction process that predicts the required time TF. Note that because the startup process F is affected by the viscosity of the ink, the startup process F is executed after the startup processes A and C are completed.

[0043] The startup process G is a process that returns the carriage 21 to a predetermined initial position by sending a drive control signal to the carriage drive motor 22. Therefore, the time TG required for the startup process G does not change each time the printer 2 is powered on; in other words, it can be said that the time TG is known even before the printer 2 is powered on. The required time TG is typically one minute.

[0044] As the remaining path time calculation process, the processor 2a calculates the remaining path time for each of the multiple paths shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, a path is a combination of several activation processes that are executed successively on the time axis.

[0045] For example, route A is composed of a combination of startup processes A, E, and G. Route A is assumed to start startup process E immediately after startup process A is completed, and to start startup process G immediately after startup process E is completed. Therefore, the route time required for route A is simply the sum of required time TA, required time TE, and required time TG.

[0046] Similarly, path B is composed of a combination of startup processes A, E, and F. It is assumed that path B starts startup process E immediately after startup process A is completed, and starts startup process F immediately after startup process E is completed. Therefore, the path time required for path A is simply the sum of required time TA, required time TE, and required time TF.

[0047] Similarly, route C is composed of a combination of startup processes B, D, E, and G. Route C assumes that startup process D starts immediately upon completion of startup process B, startup process E starts immediately upon completion of startup process D, and startup process G starts immediately upon completion of startup process E. Therefore, the route required time for route C is simply the sum of required time TB, required time TD, required time TE, and required time TG.

[0048] Similarly, path D is composed of a combination of startup processes B, D, E, and F. For path C, it is assumed that startup process D starts immediately upon completion of startup process B, that startup process E starts immediately upon completion of startup process D, and that startup process F starts immediately upon completion of startup process E. Therefore, the path required time for path C is simply the sum of required time TB, required time TD, required time TE, and required time TF.

[0049] Similarly, path E is composed of a combination of startup processes B, C, E, and G. It is assumed that path E starts immediately after startup process B is completed, starts immediately after startup process C is completed, starts immediately after startup process E is completed, and starts immediately after startup process E is completed. Therefore, the path required time for path C is simply the sum of required time TB, required time TC, required time TE, and required time TG.

[0050] Similarly, path F is composed of a combination of startup processes B, C, E, and F. It is assumed that path F starts startup process C immediately after startup process B is completed, starts startup process E immediately after startup process C is completed, and starts startup process F immediately after startup process E is completed. Therefore, the path required time for path C is simply the sum of required time TB, required time TC, required time TE, and required time TF.

[0051] Furthermore, as a progress status output process, the processor 2a outputs the progress status of the device startup process to the display device 2c based on the remaining route time for each route. The processor 2a may output the progress status of the device startup process to the display device 3a of the first user terminal 3 or the display device 4a of the second user terminal 4 instead of the display device 2c.

[0052] The remaining route time calculation process of the processor 2a will be described in detail below. As described above, the processor 2a calculates the remaining route time for each route. Specifically, the processor 2a calculates the remaining route time for each route by referring to the time management database shown in FIG. 4 and updating the time management database. The time management database shown in FIG. 4 is typically stored in the memory 2b.

[0053] The time management database is a database that contains various information for each of multiple startup processes, such as a "counting flag," "required time," "elapsed time," "restart rule when interrupt condition 1 is met," and "restart rule when interrupt condition 2 is met."

[0054] The "counting flag" is a flag that indicates whether the corresponding startup process is running and not paused, and takes the value of ON or OFF. A startup process is running after the startup process has started but before it has finished. A startup process can be paused and resumed while it is running. Even if a startup process is paused, it can still be said to be running. When the "counting flag" is ON, the elapsed time of the corresponding startup process is counted up as time passes.

[0055] "Required time" refers to the time required for the corresponding startup process. In Figure 4, the unit of required time is seconds. Some required times, such as the required time TA for startup process A, are unknown at the design stage of the printing device 2 due to their tendency to fluctuate depending on factors such as the outside temperature, while others, such as the required time TB for startup process B, are known at the design stage of the printing device 2. As mentioned above, the required time TA is predicted before startup process A is executed. As mentioned above, the required time TF is treated as the intermediate value of the required time TF, which is 5 minutes (300 seconds), until startup process F is executed. As mentioned above, the required time TF is predicted at the start of startup process F.

[0056] "Elapsed time" refers to the time elapsed since the corresponding startup process started. In FIG. 4, the unit of elapsed time is seconds. If the corresponding startup process is interrupted even though it is currently running, the counting up of the elapsed time is also interrupted. If the corresponding startup process is interrupted while it is currently running and then resumed, the elapsed time of the startup process may or may not be corrected according to the restart rules described below. Note that instead of counting up the "elapsed time" as time passes, it may also be counted down from the "required time" as time passes.

[0057] "Interruption condition 1" refers to the resume rule when interruption condition 1 is met. When interruption condition 1 is met, it means that a first error occurs in the printing device 2. Similarly, "interruption condition 2" refers to the resume rule when interruption condition 2 is met. When interruption condition 2 is met, it means that a second error occurs in the printing device 2. The first and second errors are typically, but not limited to, when the housing cover of the printing device 2 is opened, or when an external force is applied to the carriage 21, causing an abnormal voltage to occur in the carriage drive motor 22.

[0058] In this embodiment, three restart rules are defined.

[0059] The first restart rule determines that the corresponding startup process cannot be restarted from the interrupted state, and the corresponding startup process is restarted from the beginning. In this case, the elapsed time when the corresponding startup process is restarted is reset to zero. Resetting the elapsed time to zero is a specific example of correcting the elapsed time.

[0060] The second restart rule allows the corresponding startup process to be restarted from the state it was in when it was interrupted, but requires some redoing. In this case, the elapsed time when the corresponding startup process is restarted is determined by subtracting a predetermined time from the elapsed time when it was interrupted. Subtracting a predetermined time from the elapsed time is a specific example of correcting the elapsed time.

[0061] The third restart rule states that the corresponding startup process can be restarted from the state it was in when it was interrupted and can be continued without restarting. In this case, the elapsed time of the corresponding startup process is inherited as it was when it was interrupted, without any correction.

[0062] In this way, the first and second restart rules are configured to correct the elapsed time at the time of restart of the corresponding startup process. However, instead of this, the first and second restart rules may correct the required time of the corresponding startup process.

[0063] For example, under the first restart rule, the required time for the corresponding startup process may be the initial required time plus the elapsed time at the time of interruption. Also, under the second restart rule, the required time for the corresponding startup process may be the initial required time plus the aforementioned predetermined time. Also, under the second restart rule, the required time for the corresponding startup process may be the time from when the startup process is restarted to when it is completed, in which case the elapsed time for the startup process is reset to zero.

[0064] In this way, the processor 2a calculates the remaining route time for each route by referring to, updating, and correcting the required time and elapsed time for each of the multiple startup processes.

[0065] The remaining route time calculation process and progress status output process performed by the processor 2a will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 shows a startup process list. Figures 6 to 8 show the control flow of the processor 2a. The startup process list shown in Figure 5 is typically stored in the memory 2b when the printing device 2 is manufactured. The startup process list is a list of multiple startup processes.

[0066] First, when the device startup process starts, the processor 2a refers to the startup process list and selects the first startup process from the startup process list (S110). Next, the processor 2a executes the time management process (described later) for the currently selected startup process (S120). Next, the processor 2a refers to the startup process list and selects the next startup process from the startup process list (S130). Next, the processor 2a executes the time management process (described later) for the currently selected startup process (S140). Next, the processor 2a determines whether the time management process has been completed for all startup processes (S150). If the processor 2a determines that the time management process has not been completed for all startup processes (S150: NO), the processor 2a returns the process to step S130. On the other hand, if the processor 2a determines that the time management process has been completed for all startup processes (S150: YES), the processor 2a proceeds to step S160. The elapsed time for each startup process is updated by the processes from step S110 to step S150.

[0067] Here, the time management process of steps S120 and S140 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the time management process is primarily a process for updating the elapsed time of the currently selected startup process. Specifically, the processor 2a determines whether the currently selected startup process is currently being executed (S300). If it is determined in step S300 that the currently selected startup process is not currently being executed (S300: NO), the processor 2a sets the counting flag for the startup process to OFF and terminates the time management process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S300 that the currently selected startup process is currently being executed (S300: YES), the processor 2a executes the suspend / resume process (described later) (S320). Next, the processor 2a checks the counting flag for the currently selected startup process (S330). If the counting flag for the currently selected startup process is ON in step S330 (S330: ON), the processor 2a counts up the elapsed time of the currently selected startup process to update it (S340) and terminates the time management process. On the other hand, if the counting flag for the currently selected startup process is OFF in step S330 (S330: OFF), the processor 2a considers the currently selected startup process to be suspended and terminates the time management process without updating the elapsed time of the startup process.

[0068] The suspend / resume process of step S320 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the suspend / resume process mainly changes the counting flag when the currently selected startup process is suspended or resumed, and corrects the elapsed time when the currently selected startup process is resumed. Specifically, the processor 2a determines whether the suspend condition for the currently selected startup process is met (S500). If it is determined in step S500 that the suspend condition for the currently selected startup process is met (S500: YES), the processor 2a sets the counting flag for the currently selected startup process to OFF (S510) and terminates the suspend / resume process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S500 that the suspend condition for the currently selected startup process is not met (S500: NO), the processor 2a checks the counting flag for the currently selected startup process (S520). If the counting flag for the currently selected startup process is ON in step S520 (S520: ON), the processor 2a terminates the suspend / resume process. On the other hand, if the counting flag for the currently selected startup process is OFF in step S520 (S520: OFF), the processor 2a sets the counting flag to ON (S530), corrects the elapsed time according to the resume rule corresponding to the interruption condition that caused the currently selected startup process to be interrupted (S540), and terminates the interruption / restart process. In other words, if the interruption condition for the currently selected startup process is met (S500: YES), the counting flag for the startup process is set to OFF (S510), thereby avoiding updating the elapsed time for the startup process (S330: OFF). If the interruption condition for the currently selected startup process is not met (S500: NO) and the startup process is treated as being interrupted (S520: OFF), the counting flag for the startup process is set to ON (S530), thereby resuming updating the elapsed time for the startup process (S330: ON).

[0069] Returning to step S160, the processor 2a calculates the required path time and the elapsed path time for each path (S160). That is, for example, for path A, the processor 2a calculates the required path time for path A by adding up the required time TA for startup process A, the required time TE for startup process E, and the required time TG for startup process G. Similarly, for path A, the processor 2a calculates the elapsed path time for path A by adding up the elapsed time for startup process A, the elapsed time for startup process E, and the elapsed time for startup process G. The processor 2a similarly calculates the required path time and the elapsed path time for each path for startup process B and onward. Next, the processor 2a calculates the remaining path time for each path by subtracting the elapsed path time from the required path time (S170). Next, the processor 2a sorts the multiple paths in order of the remaining path time (S180). Here, the sorting algorithm may be a known sorting algorithm such as bubble sort, merge sort, or quick sort. The remaining time for each path can be predicted to some extent in advance during the manufacturing stage of the printing device 2. Therefore, when sorting multiple paths in order of remaining path time, the processor 2a may rearrange the multiple paths in a predetermined order before sorting. Here, the longest remaining path time corresponds to the total remaining time, and is none other than the time that the user most wants to know.

[0070] Next, the processor 2a outputs the longest remaining route time among the multiple routes to the display device 2c as the progress status (S190). Then, the processor 2a determines whether or not there is a startup process currently being executed (S200). If it is determined that there is a startup process currently being executed (S200: YES), the processor 2a returns the process to step S110. At this time, the processor 2a may typically wait for about 100 milliseconds before returning the process to step S110. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no startup process currently being executed (S200: NO), the processor 2a ends the process.

[0071] 9 to 11 show examples of progress output. As shown in FIG. 9, the processor 2a typically outputs the required path time and elapsed path time of the path with the longest remaining path time to the display device 2c in the form of a progress bar, and also outputs the remaining path time of the path to the display device 2c as a specific numerical value, such as "until startup is complete (remaining path time)." However, instead of this, as shown in FIG. 10, the processor 2a may output the required path time and elapsed path time of the path with the longest remaining path time to the display device 2c in the form of a progress bar, and also output the required path time and remaining path time of the path to the display device 2c as a specific numerical value, such as "printer startup (remaining path time) / (remaining path time)." Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the processor 2a may output the progress status of each of the multiple startup processes that make up the path with the longest remaining path time to the display device 2c. Specifically, the processor 2a may arrange multiple progress bars corresponding to the startup processes that make up the route with the longest remaining route time in a horizontal row, and output the required time and elapsed time of the corresponding startup process in progress bar format for each progress bar. In this case, the processor 2a may output the remaining route time of the route to the display device 2c as a specific numerical value, such as "until startup completion (remaining route time)," as in Figure 9.

[0072] In this way, by outputting the longest remaining route time to the display device 2c as the progress status of the device startup process, the user can choose to wait in front of the printing device 2 or move away from the printing device 2 to carry out other work depending on the progress status of the device startup process, thereby improving user convenience.

[0073] Then, when the device startup process is completed, the processor 2a controls the printing unit 2e in accordance with the print data of the print job received from the first user terminal 3, thereby executing printing of the print job.

[0074] The first embodiment has been described above, and has the following features.

[0075] That is, the printing device 2 includes a printing unit 2e that prints by ejecting ink (liquid) onto a print medium, and a processor 2a (control unit). The processor 2a executes multiple startup processes. The multiple startup processes include at least a first startup process, a second startup process, and a third startup process. The first startup process and the second startup process can be executed in parallel. The third startup process can be executed on the condition that the first startup process and the second startup process are completed. Here, startup process A is an example of the first startup process. Also, startup process C is an example of the second startup process, and startup process E is an example of the third startup process, but this is not limiting. For example, startup process B, startup process C, and startup process D can be collectively treated as the second startup process. Also, as the second startup process, only startup process D may be executed without startup process C. Furthermore, the third startup process can include not only startup process E but also startup process F. For example, startup processes E and F may be executed simultaneously. Furthermore, as the third startup process, only startup process F may be executed without including startup process E. The order and start timing of each startup process may vary depending on the structure of the printing device 2 and the characteristics of the ink. Processor 2a predicts the required time TA before startup process A is executed. "Before startup process A is executed" means that processor 2a is currently executing or has not yet executed. Processor 2a calculates the remaining path time (first remaining time) required for multiple startup processes to be completed along path E, which is an example of a case where startup process A completes before startup process C. Processor 2a calculates the remaining path time (second remaining time) required for multiple startup processes to be completed along path A, which is an example of a case where startup process A completes after startup process C. Processor 2a outputs the progress status of the device startup process to display device 2c based on the remaining path time for path E and the remaining path time for path A. This configuration allows the user to be presented with a progress status that takes into account the remaining path times for various paths, improving user convenience.

[0076] The processor 2a also outputs the progress status to the display device 2c based on the longer of the remaining route time for route E and the remaining route time for route A. With the above configuration, it is possible to present to the user a convenient time for the user to leave the printing device 2 and proceed with other work while the device startup process is being executed.

[0077] Furthermore, the processor 2a outputs the longer of the remaining route time for route E or the remaining route time for route A to the display device 2c as the progress status. With the above configuration, by expressing the progress status as a specific time, it is possible to specifically present to the user a time that would be convenient for the user to leave the printing device 2 and proceed with other work while the device startup process is being executed.

[0078] 11, outputting the progress status to the display device 2c means outputting the progress status for each startup process to the display device 2c. With the above configuration, the user can realize that the device startup process is steadily progressing.

[0079] The processor 2a also outputs the progress status to a display device 2c included in the printing device 2. However, instead of this, the processor 2a may output the progress status to a first user terminal 3 (external device) that includes a display device 3a, or a second user terminal 4 (external device) that includes a display device 4a. With the above configuration, the user can grasp the progress status of the device startup process even if they are away from the printing device 2.

[0080] Furthermore, the processor 2a calculates the remaining route time for route E and the remaining route time for route A based on the required time and elapsed time for each of the plurality of startup processes (S160). With the above configuration, it is possible to calculate the remaining route time in accordance with the required time and elapsed time for each of the plurality of startup processes.

[0081] Furthermore, when the startup process being executed is interrupted and then resumed (S520: OFF), the processor 2a corrects at least one of the required time or elapsed time of the startup process (S540). With the above configuration, even if the startup process is interrupted due to some event, the remaining route time for each route can be accurately calculated.

[0082] Furthermore, when the startup process being executed is interrupted and then resumed (S520: OFF), the processor 2a resets the elapsed time of the startup process to zero (returns to the initial value). With the above configuration, when restarting the startup process from the beginning because it is impossible to resume from the state at the time of interruption, the elapsed time of the startup process can be appropriately corrected.

[0083] The printing unit 2e also includes a heater 27 (heating device) that heats ink (liquid). The startup process A (first startup process) includes a process of heating ink using the heater 27.

[0084] The printing unit 2e also includes an ink ejection head 20 (liquid ejection head) that ejects ink onto the printing medium, a platen 23 that is provided on the opposite side of the printing medium from the ink ejection head 20, and a heater 27 (heating device) that heats the platen 23, and the startup process A may include a process of heating the platen 23 using the heater 27.

[0085] Furthermore, the printing unit 2e may further include a temperature sensor 28 (temperature detection device), and the processor 2a may predict the time TA required for the startup process A based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 28. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 28 may detect the temperature inside the printing device 2 or the outside air temperature.

[0086] Furthermore, the printing unit 2e may include an ink ejection head 20 having nozzles that eject ink onto a printing medium, and the startup process C may include a process of vibrating an ink meniscus in the nozzle. Furthermore, the printing unit 2e may include a carriage drive motor 22 (motor), and the startup process C (second startup process) may include a process related to the operation of the carriage drive motor 22. Furthermore, the printing unit 2e may include an ink circulation flow path 25 (circulation flow path) through which ink flows, and the startup process E may include a process of circulating ink in the ink circulation flow path 25.

[0087] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. The following description will focus on the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment, and will omit redundant description.

[0088] In the first embodiment, the processor 2a periodically determines whether the interruption condition for the currently selected startup process is met in step S500. In contrast, in this embodiment, instead of periodically determining whether the interruption condition for the currently selected startup process is met, the processor 2a determines whether the interruption condition for the currently selected startup process is met when it receives a status change notification from the printing unit 2e. In short, the processor 2a in this embodiment executes the interruption / resumption process in an event-driven manner.

[0089] Specifically, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 6 with FIG. 12, step S120 is replaced with step S121 and step S122, and step S140 is replaced with step S141 and step S142.

[0090] In step S121, the processor 2a checks the counting flag of the currently selected startup process (S121). If the counting flag of the currently selected startup process is ON (S121: ON), the processor 2a updates the elapsed time of the startup process (S122) and proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, if the counting flag of the currently selected startup process is OFF (S121: OFF), the processor 2a proceeds to step S130 without updating the elapsed time of the startup process.

[0091] Similarly, in step S141, the processor 2a checks the counting flag of the currently selected startup process (S141). If the counting flag of the currently selected startup process is ON (S141: ON), the processor 2a updates the elapsed time of the startup process (S142) and proceeds to step S150. On the other hand, if the counting flag of the currently selected startup process is OFF (S141: OFF), the processor 2a proceeds to step S150 without updating the elapsed time of the startup process.

[0092] When the processor 2a receives a status change notification from the printing unit 2e, it executes the control flow shown in Fig. 13 for all startup processes. That is, the processor 2a determines whether the currently selected startup process is currently running (S600). If it determines that the currently selected startup process is currently running (S600: YES), the processor 2a executes the suspend / resume process shown in Fig. 8 (S610) and terminates the process. On the other hand, if it determines that the currently selected startup process is not currently running (S600: NO), it sets the counting flag for that startup process to OFF (S620) and terminates the process.

[0093] In this embodiment, the elapsed time for each startup process and the output of the display device 2c are updated at regular intervals (S122, S142, S190), and the correction of the elapsed time for each startup process (S610) and the switching of the counting flag (S620, S530) are performed in an event-driven manner, thereby reducing the number of processes that are repeatedly executed at regular intervals.

[0094] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 14 and 15. The following description will focus on the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0095] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14, the processor 2a divides a device startup process consisting of multiple startup processes into Route 1 and Route 2, which are connected in series, and calculates the remaining path time for each route. This is equivalent to grouping several startup processes into a subroutine. By grouping several startup processes into a subroutine in this way, the number of routes is reduced when the processor 2a calculates the remaining path time for each route, thereby reducing calculation costs.

[0096] As shown in Figure 15, possible routes on the route 1 side are route 1A, route 1B, and route 1C. Route 1A is made up of startup processes B and C. Route 1B is made up of startup processes B and D. Route 1C is made up of startup process A. Similarly, possible routes on the route 2 side are route 2A and route 2B. Route 2A is made up of startup processes E and F. Route 2B is made up of startup processes E and G. Processor 2a calculates the remaining route time for each of these routes. Then, the longest remaining route time among the remaining route times on the route 1 side and the longest remaining route time among the remaining route times on the route 2 side are added together to calculate the total remaining time.

[0097] In this embodiment, the path travel times of both paths 1A and 1B are always constant and do not fluctuate each time the printer 2 is turned on. The path travel time of path 1A is always shorter than the path travel time of path 1B. Therefore, if the interruption conditions and resume rules of the startup processes included in paths 1A and 1B are consistent, the processor 2a does not need to take the path travel time of path 1A into account when calculating the remaining path time of path 1. In this sense, this embodiment can reduce calculation costs.

[0098] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. Below, differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0099] In this embodiment, when identifying the route with the longest remaining time, the processor 2a solves a two-vertex shortest path problem in a weighted graph. In FIG. 16, multiple startup processes constitute nodes in the weighted graph. As shown in FIG. 16, the weight of the edge connecting the nodes is the required time of the source node. What is actually desired here is not the route with the shortest overall remaining time, but the route with the longest overall remaining time. Therefore, the weight of the edge connecting the nodes is a negative value obtained by multiplying the required time of the source node by minus one. Algorithms for solving the two-vertex shortest path problem with negative edge weights include, but are not limited to, the Bellman-Ford algorithm, the Johnson algorithm, and the Warshall-Floyd algorithm. This embodiment can also be applied to the third embodiment, in which several startup processes are integrated into subroutines.

[0100] Figure 17 shows the control flow of the processor 2a that employs the flow-driven method. As can be seen by comparing Figure 6 with Figure 17, steps S160, S170, and S180 in Figure 6 are replaced with step S700 in Figure 17. In step S700, the processor 2a uses the Bellman-Ford algorithm to find the route with the longest remaining time (S700). The processor 2a then outputs the remaining time of the found route as a progress status to the display device 2c (S190).

[0101] Figure 18 shows the control flow of the processor 2a that employs the event-driven method. As can be seen by comparing Figure 12 with Figure 18, steps S160, S170, and S180 in Figure 12 are replaced with step S800 in Figure 18. In step S800, the processor 2a uses the Bellman-Ford algorithm to find the route with the longest remaining time (S800). The processor 2a then outputs the remaining time of the route to the display device 2c as the progress status (S190).

[0102] 16, the processor 2a stores in the memory 2b the edge that is used as the shortest path to each of the multiple nodes in the graph shown in Fig. 16, and can trace back from the node where the device startup process ends to the node where the device startup process starts to find the node on the shortest path. Also, since a closed loop does not normally occur when the startup process of the printer 2 is graphed, it is unlikely that a situation will occur where a closed loop with a negative weight can be looped around and its length can be made infinitely small.

[0103] The first to fourth embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

[0104] In the above examples, the program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives) and magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R / W, and semiconductor memory (e.g., mask ROM). Further examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, and RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1...printing system, 2...printing device, 2a...processor, 2b...memory, 2c...display device, 2d...communication interface, 2e...printing unit, 3...first user terminal, 3a...display device, 4...second user terminal, 4a...display device, 20...ink ejection head, 21...carriage, 22...carriage drive motor, 23...platen, 24...ink tank, 25...ink circulation path, 26...pump, 27...heater, 28...temperature sensor, 29...medium transport motor,

Claims

1. a printing unit that performs printing by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium; A control unit; Including, The control unit Execute a plurality of boot processes, including at least a first boot process, a second boot process, and a third boot process, the first boot process and the second boot process being executable in parallel, and the third boot process being executable on the condition that the first boot process and the second boot process are completed; predicting a first required time, which is a required time for the first startup process, before the first startup process is executed; calculating a first remaining time required for the completion of the plurality of startup processes when the first startup process is completed before the second startup process; and calculating a second remaining time required for the completion of the plurality of startup processes when the first startup process is completed after the second startup process; outputting a progress status of the plurality of startup processes to a display device based on the first remaining time and the second remaining time; Printing device.

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the control unit outputs the progress status to the display device based on the longer of the first remaining time and the second remaining time. Printing device.

3. 3. The printing device according to claim 2, the control unit outputs the longer of the first remaining time and the second remaining time to the display device as the progress status. Printing device.

4. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, outputting the progress status to the display device includes outputting the progress status of each startup process to the display device. Printing device.

5. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the control unit outputs the progress status to the display device provided in the printing device. Printing device.

6. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the control unit outputs the progress status to an external device equipped with the display device. Printing device.

7. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the control unit calculates the first remaining time and the second remaining time based on a required time and an elapsed time for each of the plurality of startup processes. Printing device.

8. 8. The printing device according to claim 7, When the startup process being executed is interrupted and then resumed, the control unit corrects at least one of the required time and the elapsed time of the startup process. Printing device.

9. 9. The printing device according to claim 8, the control unit resets the elapsed time of the startup process to an initial value when the startup process is interrupted and then resumed. Printing device.

10. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the printing unit includes a heating device that heats the liquid, the first activation process includes a process of heating the liquid using the heating device; Printing device.

11. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the printing unit includes a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid onto the printing medium, a platen that is provided on the opposite side of the printing medium from the liquid ejection head, and a heating device that heats the platen; the first activation process includes a process of heating the platen using the heating device; Printing device.

12. 12. A printing device according to claim 10 or 11, the printing unit further includes a temperature detection device; the control unit predicts the first required time based on a detection result of the temperature detection device. Printing device.

13. 13. The printing device according to claim 12, the temperature detection device detects the temperature inside the printing device or the outside temperature; Printing device.

14. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the printing unit includes a liquid ejection head having nozzles that eject the liquid onto the printing medium; the second activation process includes a process of vibrating a meniscus of the liquid in the nozzle. Printing device.

15. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the printing unit includes a motor; the second startup process includes a process related to the operation of the motor. Printing device.

16. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the printing unit includes a circulation flow path through which the liquid flows, the third startup process includes a process of circulating the liquid in the circulation flow path. Printing device.

17. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the printing unit includes a liquid ejection head that ejects the liquid onto the printing medium; the third startup process includes a process related to flushing by the liquid ejection head; Printing device.

18. A control method for a printing device including a printing unit that performs printing by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium and a control unit, Execute a plurality of boot processes, including at least a first boot process, a second boot process, and a third boot process, the first boot process and the second boot process being executable in parallel, and the third boot process being executable on the condition that the first boot process and the second boot process are completed; predicting a first required time, which is a required time for the first startup process, before the first startup process is executed; calculating a first remaining time required for the completion of the plurality of startup processes when the first startup process is completed before the second startup process; and calculating a second remaining time required for the completion of the plurality of startup processes when the first startup process is completed after the second startup process; outputting a progress status of the plurality of startup processes to a display device based on the first remaining time and the second remaining time; Control method.

19. A printing device including a printing unit that performs printing by ejecting a liquid onto a printing medium, and a control unit, Execute a plurality of boot processes, including at least a first boot process, a second boot process, and a third boot process, the first boot process and the second boot process being executable in parallel, and the third boot process being executable on the condition that the first boot process and the second boot process are completed; predicting a first required time, which is a required time for the first startup process, before the first startup process is executed; calculating a first remaining time required for the completion of the plurality of startup processes when the first startup process is completed before the second startup process; and calculating a second remaining time required for the completion of the plurality of startup processes when the first startup process is completed after the second startup process; outputting a progress status of the plurality of startup processes to a display device based on the first remaining time and the second remaining time; A program that operates like this.

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