Printing device and control method for printing device

Abstract

To improve the maintainability of a printing device.SOLUTION: A printing device includes: a mounting portion on which a replaceable ink container is mounted; storage means that stores ink supplied from the ink container; printing means that performs printing by using the ink supplied from the storage means; detection means that can detect that the ink container is detached from the mounting portion; and control means that performs control to execute specific processing for discharging air bubbles in at least a part of an ink flow passage from the mounting portion to the printing means, on the basis of detection that the ink container is detached from the mounting portion during replenishment processing of replenishing the storage means with ink from the ink container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In inkjet printing devices, if air bubbles get mixed in the path that supplies ink from the ink tank to the print head, it can cause ejection problems. Air bubbles mixed in the path can be removed by performing cleaning that involves an ink ejection process. Patent Document 1 describes a system in which the ink tank is connected to a sub-tank that stores ink, and the sub-tank is connected to the print head, and by providing a means in the sub-tank that isolates the ink from the atmosphere, air bubbles that occur during ink supply, etc., can be removed within the sub-tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-226025 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an ink tank is removed from its mounting portion, air bubbles can get mixed into the path. Even if a mechanism to prevent the ink tank from being removed or a mechanism to remove air bubbles as described in Patent Document 1 is added, maintenance to remove the air bubbles may still be required.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the ease of maintenance of a printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing device of the present invention is characterized by having an attachment section for attaching a replaceable ink container, a storage means for storing ink replenished from the ink container, a printing means for printing using ink supplied from the storage means, a detection means for detecting that the ink container has been removed from the attachment section, and a control means for controlling the execution of a specific process to expel air bubbles in at least a portion of the ink flow path from the attachment section to the printing means based on the detection that the ink container has been removed from the attachment section during a refill process of replenishing ink from the ink container to the storage means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the maintainability of a printing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink supply mechanism. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart showing a process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing device. The printing device 1 has a print engine unit 200 as a printing section, a scanner engine unit 300 as a scanner section, and a controller unit 100 that controls the entire printing device 1. The printing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 has an inkjet printing section. In this embodiment, the printing device 1 further has a scanner section in addition to the printing section, but the printing device does not necessarily have to have a scanner section, and may have other functional sections such as a facsimile.

[0011] First, the controller unit 100 will be described. The controller unit 100 includes a main controller 101, a host IF 102, a wireless IF 103, a print engine IF 104, a RAM 105, a ROM 106, an image processing unit 107, an operation panel 108, and a scanner engine IF 109. These units are connected via a bus 110.

[0012] The host IF 102 and wireless IF 103 are interfaces for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host device 400 that can communicate via wired or wireless communication. The host device 400 is an external device such as a PC (personal computer) or smartphone on which dedicated application software for the printing device 1 is installed, or a server device. The host device 400 has a function for generating print data for printing image data on the printing device 1 and transmitting the print data and print instructions to the printing device 1. The main controller 101 receives the print data and print instructions from the host device 400 via the host IF 102 or wireless IF 103. Note that the main controller 101 may receive print data from a data providing device such as a digital camera or smartphone instead of the host device 400.

[0013] The main controller 101 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the overall operation of the printing device 1. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 105 temporarily stores various types of data. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 106 stores various types of programs and data. The main controller 101 also uses the RAM 105 as a working memory to execute various programs stored in the ROM 106 and the like.

[0014] The print engine IF 104 is an interface that connects to the controller IF 201 of the print engine unit 200 and exchanges data including various commands with the print engine unit 200. The print engine unit 200 controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 according to instructions from the main controller 101. The scanner engine IF 109 is an interface that is connected to the controller IF 301 of the scanner engine unit 300 and exchanges data with the scanner engine unit 300. The scanner engine unit 300 controls various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit 300 in accordance with instructions from the main controller 101.

[0015] Image processing unit 107 performs predetermined image processing on image data in accordance with instructions from main controller 101. For example, image processing unit 107 performs input image processing, such as color correction, on image data input from scanner engine unit 300 via scanner engine IF 109. It also performs output image processing, such as color conversion and quantization, for outputting image data to print engine unit 200 via print engine IF 104. The image data obtained by these image processing operations is stored in RAM 105.

[0016] When main controller 101 receives print data from host device 400, it performs image processing on the image data included in the print data using image processing unit 107. Then, main controller 101 transmits the image data that has undergone image processing to print engine unit 200 via print engine IF 104. Furthermore, when the main controller 101 receives a read command from the host device 400 , it transmits the command to the scanner engine unit 300 via the scanner engine IF 109 .

[0017] The operation panel 108 is a touch panel display or the like, and accepts user input operations and displays various information to be presented to the user. The main controller 101 controls the display content of the operation panel 108. The operation panel 108 may have switches and hard keys for user input operations, as well as a sound generator that generates sound (buzzer, voice, etc.) based on acoustic information. Note that in this embodiment, the operation panel 108 is mounted inside the printing device 1, but is not limited to this. For example, the host device 400 may also function as the operation panel 108.

[0018] Next, the print engine unit 200 will be described. The print engine unit 200 has a controller I / F 201, a print controller 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, and an image processing controller 205. The print engine unit 200 also has a maintenance control unit 210, an ink supply control unit 209, a head carriage control unit 208, a transport control unit 207, and a head I / F 206 to perform various controls. These units are connected via a bus 211. The print engine unit 200 is also connected to the print head 500 via the head I / F 206.

[0019] A print controller 202 configured by a CPU controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 using a RAM 204 as a work area in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM 203. When the print controller 202 receives various commands and image data from the controller unit 100 via a controller IF 201, it temporarily stores them in the RAM 204.

[0020] The recording head 500 ejects ink onto a recording medium to print an image on the recording medium. The recording head 500 is an example of a printing unit. The recording head 500 has print heads for multiple colors.

[0021] The print controller 202 controls the image processing controller 205 to generate print data from the image data stored in the RAM 204. When the print data is generated, the print controller 202 performs a printing operation based on the print data using the print head 500 via the head interface 206 under the control of the main controller 101. At this time, the print controller 202 controls the transport control unit 207 to transport the print medium. In this way, the print process is performed by performing the printing operation using the print head 500 in conjunction with the transport operation of the print medium.

[0022] The head carriage control unit 208 changes the orientation and position of the recording head 500 depending on the operating state of the printing device 1, such as the maintenance state or recording state. The ink supply control unit 209 has an ink supply mechanism (FIG. 2) and controls the pressure and flow rate of the ink supplied to the print head 500 so that they are appropriate. The maintenance control unit 210 controls the execution of cleaning of the transport rollers and the print head 500 controlled by the transport control unit 207 .

[0023] Next, the scanner engine unit 300 will be described. The scanner engine unit 300 includes a controller IF 301, RAM 303, a scanner controller 302, a transport control unit 304, and a sensor 305. These units are connected via a bus 306. The main controller 101 controls the hardware resources of the scanner controller 302 in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 106, using the RAM 105 as a work area. This controls various mechanisms included in the scanner engine unit 300. For example, the main controller 101 controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller 302 via the controller IF 301, causing a document set by a user to be transported via the transport control unit 304 and read by the sensor 305. The scanner controller 302 then stores the read data in the RAM 303. By providing sensors 305 on both the front and back sides of the document, the transport control unit 304 transports the document once, while simultaneously acquiring read data for two sides.

[0024] In this embodiment, the print data, image data, and read data are stored in the RAM 105, RAM 303, and RAM 204, but they may also be stored in a non-volatile device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0025] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ink supply mechanism according to this embodiment. The ink supply mechanism is configured to supply ink from an ink tank 141 to a print head 500. Here, the configuration for one color of ink is shown, but in reality, such a configuration is provided for each ink color (for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk)).

[0026] The ink supply mechanism includes an ink tank mounting portion 140 to which an ink tank 141 is attached, an intermediate tank 142 that temporarily stores ink supplied from the ink tank 141, a supply tube 146, and a supply tube 148. The supply tube 146 is a flow path that connects the intermediate tank 142 to the recording head 500, and is used to supply ink from the intermediate tank 142 to the recording head 500. The supply tube 148 is a flow path that connects the ink tank mounting portion 140 to the intermediate tank 142, and is used to supply ink from the ink tank 141 to the intermediate tank 142. The ink tank 141 is an example of an ink container. The intermediate tank 142 is an example of a storage means.

[0027] A choke valve 145 that sucks ink from the intermediate tank 142 is provided midway along the supply tube 146. The ink sucked from the intermediate tank 142 is supplied to the recording head 500 through the supply tube 146. When performing a recording operation, the recording head 500 prints using ink supplied from the intermediate tank 142. Therefore, as long as there is ink in the intermediate tank 142, the printing process can continue even if the ink tank 141 is removed and refilled with ink during the printing process.

[0028] The ink tank mounting section 140 is fitted with a cover. By opening the cover and removing the ink tank 141 from the ink tank mounting section 140, it is possible to replace it with a new ink tank. Note that a new ink tank may be mounted, or the removed ink tank may be refilled with ink and remounted. Furthermore, no physical locking mechanism is provided to prevent the ink tank 141 from being removed from the ink tank mounting section 140.

[0029] The ink tank mounting section 140 has an ink cover open detection sensor 143 that can detect the open / closed state of the cover. In this embodiment, the ink cover open detection sensor 143 is configured as a pressure sensor, but it may also be configured as an infrared sensor, and the detection method is not particularly limited. Information indicating the open / closed state of the cover detected by the ink cover open detection sensor 143 is sent to the controller unit 100 via the controller I / F 201.

[0030] The ink tank mounting unit 140 also has an ink tank detection sensor 144 that can detect the attachment / detachment state of the ink tank 141. In this embodiment, the ink tank detection sensor 144 is configured as a pressure sensor, but it may also be configured as an infrared sensor, and there are no particular limitations on the detection method. Information indicating the attachment / detachment state of the ink tank 141 detected by the ink tank detection sensor 144 is sent to the controller unit 100 via the controller I / F 201.

[0031] The maintenance control unit 210 performs cleaning by controlling the choke valve 145 to suck ink from the intermediate tank 142 and eject it from the recording head 500 through the supply tube 146. Cleaning is an example of a bubble removal process that removes air bubbles from at least a portion of the ink flow path of the ink supply mechanism. Another method of bubble removal is film bubble removal, which removes air bubbles using a film bubble removal unit 147 provided on the ink flow path near the recording head 500. The film bubble removal unit 147 has a space partitioned by a film, and by reducing the pressure inside the space, air bubbles are collected in the space and removed. Another method is system cleaning, in which a larger amount of ink is sucked from the choke valve 145 than in the above cleaning.

[0032] While ink is being supplied to the print head 500, the main controller 101 performs an ink refill process to refill the intermediate tank 142 with ink from the ink tank 141. For example, the ink refill process is performed when the remaining ink level in the intermediate tank 142 falls below a threshold. During the ink refill process, the ink supply control unit 209 creates a negative pressure inside the intermediate tank 142, thereby drawing ink from the ink tank 141 into the intermediate tank 142. Therefore, if the ink tank 141 is removed from the ink tank mounting unit 140 during the ink refill process, air is likely to be drawn in through the ink tank 141 extraction port, causing air bubbles to be mixed into the ink flow path of the ink supply mechanism. If air bubbles are mixed into the ink supply mechanism, maintenance such as cleaning is required to remove the air bubbles. On the other hand, providing a physical locking mechanism to prevent the ink tank 141 from being removed from the ink tank mounting unit 140 would increase the complexity of the device and manufacturing costs.

[0033] Therefore, in this embodiment, when it is detected that the ink tank 141 has been removed from the ink tank mounting portion 140 while the intermediate tank 142 is being replenished with ink, control is performed to perform the air bubble discharge process.

[0034] 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, control is performed to execute a bubble discharge process in response to detection that the ink tank 141 has been removed from the ink tank mounting section 140 during ink replenishment. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is realized by the main controller 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 106 or the like into the RAM 105 and executing it. In the following explanation, each process (step) will be denoted by adding an S to the beginning, and the process (step) will not be referred to in detail.

[0035] In this embodiment, during execution of a job such as a print job for printing print data or a maintenance job for cleaning, the main controller 101 controls the pressure inside the ink supply mechanism to replenish ink to the intermediate tank 142. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 starts when ink replenishment to the intermediate tank 142 begins.

[0036] In S301, the main controller 101 receives information indicating the attachment / detachment status of the ink tank 141 from the ink tank detection sensor 144, and determines whether the ink tank 141 has been removed from the ink tank mounting section 140. If ink replenishment is completed without detecting removal of the ink tank 141, the processing of this flowchart ends. On the other hand, if removal of the ink tank 141 is detected during ink replenishment, there is a possibility that air bubbles have entered the ink supply mechanism, so the process proceeds to S302.

[0037] In S302, the main controller 101 executes a bubble removal process. In this embodiment, the bubble removal process involves controlling the choke valve 145 to suck ink and perform cleaning. Note that film bubble removal may be performed using the film bubble removal unit 147, or system cleaning may be performed with an increased amount of ink suction. The process of this flowchart then ends when ink replenishment is completed.

[0038] According to the present embodiment described above, the bubble removal process is immediately performed upon detecting that the ink tank has been removed during ink replenishment, thereby eliminating the need for the user to issue a cleaning command.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the bubble discharge process is executed when removal of the ink tank 141 is detected while ink is being replenished to the intermediate tank 142, but this is not limited to this. For example, the bubble discharge process may be executed when removal of the ink tank 141 is detected while ink is being supplied from the ink tank 141 to the print head 500.

[0040] [Embodiment 2] In this embodiment, a method will be described in which the bubble discharge process is not performed immediately even if it is detected that the ink tank 141 has been removed from the ink tank mounting portion 140 while ink is being refilled into the intermediate tank 142, but is performed after the ink refill is completed. Below, the same components as in embodiment 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. The processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 4 is realized by the main controller 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 106 or the like into the RAM 105 and executing it. The flowchart shown in Fig. 4 starts when a job, such as a print job for printing print data or a maintenance job for cleaning, becomes ready to be started.

[0042] In S400, the main controller 101 starts a job. For example, the main controller 101 starts a job in response to a job execution instruction input from the operation panel 108. When the job starts and printing begins, ink is supplied from the intermediate tank 142 to the print head 500, and printing is performed by the print head 500 using the supplied ink. In S401, the main controller 101 controls the pressure inside the ink supply mechanism and starts replenishing ink to the intermediate tank 142 in response to the remaining amount of ink stored in the intermediate tank falling below a predetermined condition.

[0043] In S402, the main controller 101 receives information indicating the attachment / detachment state of the ink tank 141 from the ink tank detection sensor 144, and determines whether the ink tank 141 has been removed from the ink tank mounting unit 140. If no ink refilling has occurred during job execution, the process proceeds to S404 without processing S401 to S403 from S400. On the other hand, if removal of the ink tank 141 is detected during ink refilling, the ink refilling is stopped and the process proceeds to S403.

[0044] In S403, the main controller 101 performs a storage control process to cause information indicating that the ink tank 141 has been removed to be stored in a storage unit such as the RAM 105. Then, after detecting that a new ink tank has been installed based on the information indicating the installation status of the ink tank 141, the main controller 101 resumes the ink supply process.

[0045] In S404, the main controller 101 completes the supply of ink to the intermediate tank 142. In S405, the main controller 101 completes the job, that is, ends the printing process in which ink is supplied from the intermediate tank 142 to the print head 500. In S406, the main controller 101 determines whether or not information indicating that the ink tank 141 has been removed is stored in a storage device such as the RAM 105. If information indicating that the ink tank 141 has been removed is stored, there is a possibility that air bubbles have entered the ink supply mechanism, so the process proceeds to S407;

[0046] In S407, the main controller 101 executes a bubble removal process. In this embodiment, the bubble removal process involves controlling the choke valve 145 to suck out ink and perform cleaning. Note that film bubble removal may be performed using the film bubble removal unit 147, or system cleaning may be performed with an increased amount of ink suction. When the process of this flowchart ends, the main controller 101 displays the home screen on the operation panel 108. The printing device 1 then returns to the standby state.

[0047] According to the present embodiment described above, the ink tank removal detection results are stored, and the bubble removal process is performed after the job currently being executed is completed, thereby preventing the time until the job is completed from being extended and saving the user the trouble of issuing a cleaning command.

[0048] In the above embodiment, if removal of the ink tank 141 is detected during the ink refill process, the bubble discharge process is executed after the job is completed, but this is not limited to this. For example, if removal of the ink tank 141 is detected during ink supply from the intermediate tank 142 to the print head 500, the bubble discharge process may be executed after the print job that caused the ink supply is completed.

[0049] [Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, a method of varying the bubble removal process depending on the expected amount of trapped air bubbles will be described. Hereinafter, the same components as in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again. This embodiment is applicable to the execution of cleaning in the first and second embodiments described above, when the ink tank 141 is removed during ink refilling.

[0050] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the printing device 1 according to this embodiment. The processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is realized by the main controller 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 106 or the like into the RAM 105 and executing it. The flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is executed during the ink supply process from the ink tank 141 to the intermediate tank 142. During the ink supply process, the interior of the intermediate tank 142 is under negative pressure.

[0051] In S501, the main controller 101 receives information indicating the open / closed state of the cover of the ink tank mounting portion 140 from the ink cover open detection sensor 143, and detects that the cover of the ink tank mounting portion 140 has been opened. In this embodiment, the main controller 101 starts negative pressure stop control for the intermediate tank 142 from the point in time when it detects that the cover of the ink tank mounting portion 140 has been opened. In other words, it stops the ink refill process. In S502, the main controller 101 records in the RAM 105 or the like the time (detection time A) when it is detected that the cover of the ink tank mounting unit 140 has been opened.

[0052] In S503, the main controller 101 receives information indicating the attachment / detachment state of the ink tank 141 from the ink tank detection sensor 144 and detects that the ink tank 141 has been removed from the ink tank mounting portion 140. In S504, the main controller 101 records the time when removal of the ink tank 141 is detected (detection time B) in the RAM 105 or the like.

[0053] In S505, the main controller 101 calculates the elapsed time X from the detection time A recorded in S502 to the detection time B recorded in S504. The elapsed time X is the time elapsed since the start of the negative pressure stop control of the intermediate tank 142. There is a time lag between the start of the negative pressure stop control and the actual release of the negative pressure, and the negative pressure decreases over time. Therefore, the shorter the elapsed time X, the more likely it is that air will be taken in through the extraction port of the ink tank 141, and the more likely it is that air bubbles will be mixed into the ink supply mechanism. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bubble discharge process is varied depending on the elapsed time X.

[0054] In S506, the main controller 101 determines whether or not condition A, that is, the elapsed time X is greater than 0 seconds and less than 2 seconds, is satisfied. If condition A is satisfied, the process proceeds to S507, and if not, the process proceeds to S508. In S507, the main controller 101 controls the choke valve 145 to perform system cleaning, which increases the amount of ink suction compared to normal. Then, the ink supply process is resumed. Note that cleaning may not be started if no ink tank is installed in the ink tank installation unit 140, and the ink supply process may be resumed after a new ink tank is installed, and system cleaning may be performed after the ink supply process is completed.

[0055] In S508, the main controller 101 determines whether or not the elapsed time X satisfies condition B, that is, 2 seconds or more and less than 5 seconds. If condition B is satisfied, the process proceeds to S509, and if not, the process proceeds to S510. In S509, the main controller 101 controls the choke valve 145 to perform normal cleaning. After that, the ink refill process is resumed. Note that cleaning may not be started when no ink tank is installed in the ink tank installation unit 140, and the ink refill process may be resumed after a new ink tank is installed, and normal cleaning may be performed after the ink refill process is completed.

[0056] In S510, the main controller 101 determines whether or not the elapsed time X satisfies condition C, that is, 5 seconds or more and less than 6 seconds. If condition C is satisfied, the process proceeds to S511; if not, the process ends this flowchart as it is not necessary to perform the bubble discharge process. In S511, the main controller 101 performs film bubble removal using the film bubble removal unit 147. After that, the ink refill process is resumed. Note that film bubble removal may not be started when no ink tank is installed in the ink tank installation unit 140, and the ink refill process may be resumed after a new ink tank is installed, and film bubble removal may be performed after the ink refill process is completed.

[0057] According to the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to perform an appropriate air bubble discharge process in accordance with the predicted amount of trapped air bubbles.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the switching thresholds for each air bubble removal process are set to 2 seconds, 5 seconds, and 6 seconds, but these thresholds are set appropriately depending on the device configuration, such as the ink supply mechanism, etc. Furthermore, the air bubble removal process is not limited to the three types of methods, film debubbling, cleaning, and system cleaning, and other methods may be used.

[0059] Furthermore, the various controls described above as being performed by the main controller 101 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware (e.g., a plurality of processors or circuits) sharing the processing. Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0060] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0061] The disclosure of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations, methods, programs, and storage media. (Configuration 1) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable ink container; a storage means for storing ink supplied from the ink container; a printing means for printing using the ink supplied from the storage means; a detection means for detecting that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion; a control means for controlling the execution of a specific process for discharging air bubbles in at least a part of an ink flow path from the ink container to the printing means, based on detection that the ink container has been removed from the ink container during a refilling process of refilling the ink storage means from the ink container; A printing device comprising: (Configuration 2) The printing device described in configuration 1 is characterized in that, even if the control means detects that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion during the replenishment process, the control means does not start the specific process unless the ink container is mounted, but rather controls the replenishment process to continue after a new ink container is mounted in the mounting portion, and to execute the specific process after the replenishment process is completed. (Configuration 3) The ink supply device further includes a storage control unit that controls the storage unit to store predetermined information in response to detection that the ink container has been removed from the mounting unit during the refilling process, The printing device according to configuration 2, wherein the control means controls the specific processing to be performed based on the predetermined information being stored in the storage means when the replenishment processing is completed. (Configuration 4) 4. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the printing device does not have a physical locking mechanism that prevents the ink container from being removed from the mounting portion. (Configuration 5) The printing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that even if the control means detects that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion while a print job is being executed, the control means does not start the specific process while the ink container is not mounted, but controls the specific process to be executed after a new ink container is mounted in the mounting portion and the print job being executed is completed. (Configuration 6) 6. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the specific process is a process of sucking ink from the storage means and ejecting it from a print head used in the printing means. (Configuration 7) The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the specific process is a process of providing a space partitioned by a film on the ink flow path from the mounting unit to the printing means and collecting air bubbles inside the space. (Configuration 8) The ink container may further include a detection unit that detects that the cover of the ink container in the mounting portion has been opened, The control means By creating a negative pressure inside the storage means, ink is replenished from the ink container to the storage means, when it is detected that the cover has been opened during the replenishment process, a first time representing the time when the cover has been opened is recorded, and control to stop the negative pressure in the storage means is started from the time when it is detected that the cover has been opened; When it is detected that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion after it is detected that the cover has been opened, a second time is recorded, which indicates the time when the ink container has been removed; 8. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the specific process is changed depending on the time that has elapsed from the first time to the second time. (Configuration 9) the control means executes at least one of a first process, a second process, and a third process according to the elapsed time; the first process is a process of sucking ink from the storage means and ejecting it from a print head used in the printing means, the second process is a process in which the amount of ink suction is increased compared to the first process, The third process is a process of forming a space partitioned by a film on the ink flow path from the mounting unit to the printing means, and collecting air bubbles inside the space. 9. The printing device according to configuration 8. (Configuration 10) 10. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the printing means is an inkjet type. (method) a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable ink container; a storage means for storing ink supplied from the ink container; a printing means for printing using the ink supplied from the storage means; a detection means for detecting that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion; A method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the execution of a specific process for discharging air bubbles in at least a part of an ink flow path from the ink container to the printing means, based on detection that the ink container has been removed from the ink container mounting portion during a refilling process of refilling ink from the ink container to the storing means; 10. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising: (program) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the printing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10. (storage medium) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the printing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1: Printing device, 108: Operation panel, 141: Ink tank, 140: Ink tank mounting section, 142: Intermediate tank, 500: Recording head

Claims

1. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable ink container; a storage means for storing ink supplied from the ink container; a printing means for printing using the ink supplied from the storage means; a detection means for detecting that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion; a control means for controlling the execution of a specific process for discharging air bubbles in at least a part of an ink flow path from the ink container to the printing means, based on detection that the ink container has been removed from the ink container during a refilling process of refilling the ink storage means from the ink container; A printing device comprising:

2. The printing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the ink container to continue the specific process after a new ink container is installed in the installation unit, even if it detects that the ink container has been removed from the installation unit during the replenishment process, and to execute the specific process after the replenishment process is completed.

3. The ink supply device further includes a storage control unit that controls the storage unit to store predetermined information in response to detection that the ink container has been removed from the mounting unit during the refilling process, 3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the control means controls the specific process to be performed based on the predetermined information being stored in the storage means when the replenishment process is completed.

4. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device does not have a physical locking mechanism that prevents the ink container from being removed from the mounting portion.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means, even if it detects that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion while a print job is being executed, does not start the specific process while the ink container is not mounted, but controls the specific process to be executed after a new ink container is mounted in the mounting portion and the print job being executed is completed.

6. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific process is a process of sucking ink from the storage means and ejecting it from a print head used in the printing means.

7. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the specific process is a process of forming a space partitioned by a film on the ink flow path from the mounting unit to the printing means and collecting air bubbles inside the space.

8. The ink container may further include a detection unit that detects that the cover of the ink container in the mounting portion has been opened, The control means By creating a negative pressure inside the storage means, ink is replenished from the ink container to the storage means, when it is detected that the cover has been opened during the replenishment process, a first time representing the time when the cover has been opened is recorded, and control to stop the negative pressure in the storage means is started from the time when it is detected that the cover has been opened; When it is detected that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion after it is detected that the cover has been opened, a second time is recorded, which indicates the time when the ink container has been removed; 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the specific process is changed depending on the time that has elapsed from the first time to the second time.

9. the control means executes at least one of a first process, a second process, and a third process according to the elapsed time; the first process is a process of sucking ink from the storage means and ejecting it from a print head used in the printing means, the second process is a process in which the amount of ink suction is increased compared to the first process, The third process is a process of forming a space partitioned by a film on the ink flow path from the mounting unit to the printing means, and collecting air bubbles inside the space.

9. The printing device according to claim 8.

10. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing means is an inkjet type.

11. a mounting portion for mounting a replaceable ink container; a storage means for storing ink supplied from the ink container; a printing means for printing using the ink supplied from the storage means; a detection means for detecting that the ink container has been removed from the mounting portion; A method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the execution of a specific process for discharging air bubbles in at least a part of an ink flow path from the ink container to the printing means, based on detection that the ink container has been removed from the ink container mounting portion during a refilling process of refilling ink from the ink container to the storing means; 10. A method for controlling a printing device, comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the printing device according to claim 1.

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