Printer

Abstract

To shorten work time of a user required when successively executing multiple processes.SOLUTION: A printer 10 is equipped with a display device 80 that has a display screen 81 and operation means 82, and a control device 90 capable of executing multiple predetermined processes P1 to P9. The control device 90, of the multiple predetermined processes P1 to P9, is equipped with a script producing portion 93 that produces a script S10 that executes multiple selection processes P10 selected by a user of the multiple processes, in a predetermined order A10 designated by the user, a display portion 97 that displays a script button BT20 executing the script S10 produced by the script producing portion 93 on the display screen 81, and an executing portion 99 that continuously executes the multiple selection processes P10 of the script S10 in the predetermined order A10, when the script button BT20 displayed on the display screen 81 is pushed by the user through the operation means 82.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer equipped with an ink flow path that can circulate ink between an ink tank and an ink head. By performing an ink circulation process that circulates ink in the ink flow path, it is possible to make the ink less likely to settle in the ink flow path.

[0003] The inkjet printer disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a capping device and a wiping device. The capping device has a cap that can be attached to the ink head and a suction mechanism connected to the cap. The wiping device has a wiper that wipes the ink head and a wiper movement mechanism that moves the ink head and the wiper relatively. For example, the capping device and the wiping device are controlled to perform a predetermined cleaning process, thereby cleaning the ink head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-93438 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Meanwhile, for example, an operation panel provided on an inkjet printer has a circulation button for executing an ink circulation process, a cleaning button for executing a cleaning process, and the like. Each time a user presses a button on the operation panel, the process corresponding to the pressed button is performed. Therefore, for example, when an ink circulation process and a cleaning process are to be performed consecutively in this order before printing, the user presses the circulation button, waits until the ink circulation process is completed, and then presses the cleaning button to perform the cleaning process. Therefore, the longer the time required for the process, the longer the user has to wait until the process is completed. This increases the user's working time required for the process. It is preferable that this user working time is short.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of shortening the user's work time required when executing a plurality of processes in succession. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A printer according to the present invention includes a display device having a display screen and an operating means, and a control device capable of executing a predetermined number of processes. The control device includes a script creation unit, a display unit, and an execution unit. The script creation unit creates a script that executes a plurality of selection processes selected by a user from the plurality of processes in a predetermined order specified by the user. The display unit displays a script button on the display screen that executes the script created by the script creation unit. When the script button displayed on the display screen is pressed by a user via the operating means, the execution unit successively executes the plurality of selection processes of the script in the predetermined order.

[0008] According to the printer, a user can create a script for executing multiple selection processes that the user wants the control device to execute consecutively. Therefore, the multiple selection processes included in the script can be executed consecutively by the user simply pressing the script button once. Therefore, according to the printer, since it is not necessary to operate the operating means each time the multiple selection processes are executed, the user's working time required to execute multiple selection processes consecutively can be shortened. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer with the cover open. [Diagram 3] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an ink flow path connecting an ink tank and an ink head, and a cap unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the wiper unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a script. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a top screen is displayed. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a selection screen is displayed. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a selection candidate screen is displayed. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a date and time setting screen is displayed. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a selection screen on which a first selection process included in a first script is displayed in a selection area. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a selection screen on which a second selection process included in a second script is displayed in a selection area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way.

[0011] 1 and 2 are respectively a perspective view and a front view of a printer 10 according to this embodiment. In the drawings, the symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D indicate the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. The symbols X and Y indicate the sub-scanning direction and the main scanning direction, respectively. For example, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The sub-scanning direction X intersects with the main scanning direction Y in a plan view, and is perpendicular here. The sub-scanning direction X is, for example, the front-rear direction. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10 in any way.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 ejects ink onto the substrate 5 to print on the substrate 5. The substrate 5 is, for example, recording paper, but the type is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the printer 10 is an inkjet printer, but the printing method is not particularly limited. The printer 10 is a so-called flatbed type printer, and the substrate 5 also moves in the sub-scanning direction X as a support base 40 described later moves in the sub-scanning direction X. However, the printer 10 may be a so-called roll-to-roll type printer, and may be one that moves only the roll-shaped substrate 5 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a case 11 and a cover 12. The case 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an internal space. Printing is performed in the internal space. As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 15 is formed in the front of the case 11. The cover 12 is supported by the case 11 so that the opening 15 can be freely opened and closed. The cover 12 is configured to be rotatable around its rear end. As shown in FIG. 1, a window 16 is provided in the front and upper parts of the cover 12. The window 16 is formed of a transparent or semi-transparent member, for example, an acrylic plate. A user can view the internal space of the case 11 through the window 16.

[0014] Next, a description will be given of the internal configuration of the printer 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the printer 10 includes a guide rail 18, a carriage 20, an ink head 22, and a light irradiation device 24.

[0015] The guide rail 18 is fixed to the case 11 in the internal space of the case 11. The guide rail 18 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 20 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 18. The carriage 20 is configured to be movable in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 18.

[0016] The ink head 22 is provided on the carriage 20. The number of ink heads 22 is not particularly limited, but here there are three. The ink head 22 ejects ink toward a printing substrate 5 supported by a support table 40. The ink head 22 is disposed above the support table 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface of the ink head 22 has a nozzle surface 22a in which a plurality of nozzles 23 for ejecting ink are formed. In this embodiment, the ink ejected from the ink head 22 is a photocurable ink that is dried when irradiated with light (e.g., ultraviolet or infrared light), but the type of ink is not particularly limited.

[0017] 2, the light irradiation device 24 is a device that irradiates light (e.g., ultraviolet or infrared light) onto the ink ejected from the ink head 22, and is provided on the carriage 20. In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 24 is provided on both the left and right sides of the carriage 20, but may be provided on only one of the left and right sides of the carriage 20. The light irradiation device 24 is configured to be able to irradiate light onto the ink ejected onto the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 40.

[0018] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the printer 10 includes an ink tank 26 and an ink flow path 30. In FIG. 3, the ink tank 26 and the ink flow path 30 connected to one ink head 22 are illustrated, but in reality, the number of the ink tanks 26 and the ink flow paths 30 is equal to or greater than the number of the ink heads 22. The ink tank 26 contains ink to be ejected from the ink head 22. The ink flow path 30 connects the ink tank 26 and the ink head 22. The ink flow path 30 supplies ink from the ink tank 26 to the ink head 22. The ink flow path 30 is formed of, for example, a flexible tube. In this embodiment, the ink flow path 30 can circulate ink between the ink tank 26 and the ink head 22.

[0019] The ink flow path 30 has a forward flow path 31 and a return flow path 32. One end of the forward flow path 31 is connected to the ink tank 26, and the other end of the forward flow path 31 is connected to the ink head 22. Here, the other end of the forward flow path 31 is connected to a damper 33, and is indirectly connected to the ink head 22 via the damper 33. One end of the return flow path 32 is connected to one end of the forward flow path 31, and the other end of the return flow path 32 is connected to the other end of the forward flow path 31. In this embodiment, the ink flow path 30 has a circulation pump 35 provided in the middle of the return flow path 32. This circulation pump 35 is a pump that flows ink at the other end of the forward flow path 31 toward one end of the forward flow path 31 through the return flow path 32. When the circulation pump 35 is driven, ink circulates between the forward flow path 31 and the return flow path 32.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the printer 10 includes a support table 40 and a table suction mechanism 42 (see Fig. 5). The support table 40 supports the printing substrate 5. Here, the printing substrate 5 is placed on the support table 40. Printing onto the printing substrate 5 is performed on the support table 40. The upper surface of the support table 40 extends in the main scanning direction Y and the sub-scanning direction X.

[0021] The table suction mechanism 42 shown in FIG. 5 sucks the printing material 5 supported by the support table 40 to make the printing material 5 adhere to the support table 40. The table suction mechanism 42 has, for example, a suction fan 43 and a suction motor 44 connected to the suction fan 43. Although not shown, the suction fan 43 is disposed below the upper surface of the support table 40. Although not shown, in this embodiment, a plurality of suction holes are formed on the upper surface of the support table 40. Here, when the suction motor 44 is driven, the suction fan 43 is driven. At this time, the printing material 5 supported by the support table 40 is sucked into the suction holes, so that the printing material 5 adheres to the support table 40.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer 10 includes a first moving mechanism 51 that moves the ink head 22 in the main scanning direction Y relative to the support base 40, and a second moving mechanism 52 that moves the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 40 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the ink head 22. The first moving mechanism 51 moves the ink head 22 and the carriage 20 in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 18. The second moving mechanism 52 moves the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 40 in the sub-scanning direction X by moving the support base 40 in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the second moving mechanism is an example of a moving mechanism, and the sub-scanning direction X is an example of a predetermined direction. The printer 10 also includes a lifting mechanism 53 that lifts and lowers the support base 40.

[0023] The printer 10 includes a cap unit 60 (see FIG. 3) and a wiper unit 70 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3, the cap unit 60 includes a cap 61, a capping mechanism 62, and a suction pump 63. The cap 61 is configured to be attachable to the nozzle surface 22a so as to cover the multiple nozzles 23 of the ink head 22. The capping mechanism 62 is a mechanism that raises and lowers the cap 61 to attach the cap 61 to the nozzle surface 22a of the ink head 22 and separates the cap 61 from the nozzle surface 22a of the ink head 22. For example, the capping mechanism 62 is configured to raise the cap 61 to attach it to the ink head 22 and lower the cap 61 to separate it from the ink head 22.

[0024] The suction pump 63 is connected to the cap 61. The suction pump 63 sucks up the ink in the connected cap 61 and the ink in the ink head 22 attached to the cap 61. The suction pump 63 is provided in the middle of a tube 64. One end of the tube 64 is connected to the cap 61, and the other end of the tube 64 is connected to a waste liquid tank 65. For example, when the suction pump 63 is driven with the cap 61 attached to the ink head 22, ink is sucked out from the nozzles 23 and discharged into the cap 61. The ink and the like sucked by the suction pump 63 are discharged into the waste liquid tank 65 via the tube 64.

[0025] 4 is disposed near the cap unit 60 and is provided below the ink head 22. The wiper unit 70 wipes the nozzle surface 22a of the ink head 22. The wiper unit 70 includes a wiper 71, a wiping mechanism 72, and a cleaning liquid tank 73 in which cleaning liquid is stored.

[0026] The wiper 71 is a member that wipes the nozzle surface 22a. The wiper 71 is a flat plate-shaped member that extends back and forth and up and down. The wiper 71 is formed of, for example, rubber. The wiping mechanism 72 is a mechanism that wipes the nozzle surface 22a with the wiper 71. The wiping mechanism 72 has a rotating shaft 75 and a rotating motor 76. The rotating shaft 75 extends back and forth and is connected to one end of the wiper 71. The rotating motor 76 is connected to the rotating shaft 75. When the rotating motor 76 is driven, the wiper 71 can rotate around the rotating shaft 75. When the wiper 71 is disposed in a rotation position such that the end farther from the rotating shaft 75 is on top, the end is disposed at a position slightly higher than the nozzle surface 22a. In this state, the ink head 22 is moved in the main scanning direction Y, whereby the wiper 71 wipes the nozzle surface 22a. On the other hand, when the wiper 71 is placed in a rotational position such that the end farther from the rotating shaft 75 faces downward, it is immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 73 disposed below the rotating shaft 75 .

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 10 includes a display device 80 and a control device 90. As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 80 is provided in the case 11. The display device 80 may be detachable from the case 11. The display device 80 does not necessarily have to be provided in the case 11, and may be realized by a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The display device 80 has a display screen 81 and an operation means 82 operated by a user. The operation means 82 is, for example, a physical operation button. However, if the display screen 81 is a touch panel type, the operation means 82 may be realized by a touch panel provided on the display screen 81.

[0028] The control device 90 shown in FIG. 2 performs processing related to printing. The configuration of the control device 90 is not particularly limited. The control device 90 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control device 90 includes, for example, an I / F, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control device 90 is provided inside the case 11. However, the control device 90 may be realized by a computer or the like installed outside the case 11. In this case, the control device 90 is connected to a control board (not shown) of the printer 10 so as to be able to communicate with it via wire or wirelessly.

[0029] 5, the control device 90 is communicatively connected to the ink head 22, the light irradiation device 24, the circulation pump 35 provided in the ink flow path 30, and the base suction mechanism 42 (more specifically, the suction motor 44 connected to the suction fan 43), and controls the ink head 22, the light irradiation device 24, the circulation pump 35, and the base suction mechanism 42. The control device 90 is also communicatively connected to the first moving mechanism 51, the second moving mechanism 52, the lifting mechanism 53, the cap unit 60 (more specifically, the capping mechanism 62 and the suction pump 63), the wiper unit 70 (more specifically, the rotation motor 76 of the wiping mechanism 72), and the display device 80 (more specifically, the display screen 81 and the operating means 82), and controls the first moving mechanism 51, the second moving mechanism 52, the lifting mechanism 53, the cap unit 60, the wiper unit 70, and the display device 80.

[0030] Incidentally, the control device 90 is configured to be able to execute a predetermined number of processes. The multiple processes refer to processes related to printing by the printer 10. The multiple processes include, for example, processes executed before printing, or processes executed after printing. The specific processes in the multiple processes are not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 9, the processes that the control device 90 can execute include at least, for example, a power-on process P1, an ink circulation process P2, a cleaning process P3, a setup process P4, an unsetup process P5, a base suction on process P6, a base suction off process P7, a lift auto process P8, and a test print process P9.

[0031] The power-on process P1 is a process for turning on the power of the printer 10. Although not shown, the printer 10 is provided with a power button, and the printer 10 is turned on when the user presses the power button. The process that is the same as when the power button is pressed is called the power-on process P1. The power-on process P1 refers to a process that starts up the printer 10, sets it in a state where printing is possible, and sets it in a state where printing-related settings can be made. For example, by executing the power-on process P1, a top screen DP1 (see FIG. 7) described later is displayed on the display screen 81 of the display device 80. The ink circulation process P2 is a process that drives the circulation pump 35 to circulate ink between the forward flow path 31 and the return flow path 32 in the ink flow path 30 connected to the ink tank 26 and the ink head 22, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0032] The cleaning process P3 is a process for cleaning the ink head 22, and is performed using the cap unit 60 (see FIG. 3) and the wiper unit 70 (see FIG. 4). The cleaning process P3 is composed of, for example, a main suction process, an idle suction process, and a wiping process. In the main suction process, as shown in FIG. 3, the suction pump 63 is driven with the cap 61 attached to the ink head 22, and ink in the ink head 22 is discharged into the cap 61. In the idle suction process performed after the main suction process, the suction pump 63 is driven with the cap 61 separated from the ink head 22, and ink in the cap 61 is sucked. In the wiping process performed after the idle suction process, as shown in FIG. 4, the wiper 71 wipes the nozzle surface 22a of the ink head 22. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning process P3 is divided into a normal cleaning process P3a, a medium cleaning process P3b, and a strong cleaning process P3c depending on the time required for the cleaning process P3 or the suction power of the suction pump 63. The normal cleaning process P3a is the longest, the medium cleaning process P3b is the medium cleaning process P3b is the strong cleaning process P3c is the strong cleaning process P3c.

[0033] The setup process P4 is a process for controlling the second moving mechanism 52 that moves the printing substrate 5 supported by the support table 40 in the sub-scanning direction X so as to move and set the printing substrate 5 to a printing start position (not shown). The printing start position is a position where the printing substrate 5 overlaps the ink head 22 and the guide rail 18 in the vertical direction, that is, a position where the printing substrate 5 is placed directly below the guide rail 18. The unsetup process P5 is a process for controlling the second moving mechanism 52 that moves and sets the printing substrate 5 supported by the support table 40 to a non-printing start position (not shown). The non-printing start position is a position different from the printing start position, and is a position where the user removes the printing substrate 5 from the support table 40. The non-printing start position is, for example, a position where the support table 40 protrudes toward the opening 15 (see FIG. 2) side of the case 11 (here, the front side) beyond the guide rail 18.

[0034] 5 (more specifically, driving the suction motor 44) to suck up the substrate 5 supported by the support table 40 and bring it into close contact with the support table 40. The platform suction off process P7 is a process that stops the platform suction mechanism 42 (more specifically, stopping the suction motor 44) to stop suction of the substrate 5 supported by the support table 40. The platform suction off process P7 results in the substrate 5 simply being placed on the support table 40.

[0035] The lift auto process P8 is a process for controlling the lift mechanism 53 (see FIG. 5) so that the vertical interval between the nozzle surface 22a of the ink head 22 and the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 40 becomes a predetermined printing interval. The predetermined printing interval is an interval that can maintain the quality of printing. The test print process P9 is a process for printing a predetermined test pattern for the user to check the state of the nozzle 23 of the ink head 22. Here, the state of the nozzle 23 refers to the state of whether or not there is an abnormality in the nozzle 23, such as a missing nozzle or a twist. The test pattern is, for example, a linear pattern obtained by simultaneously ejecting ink from the multiple nozzles 23 in one ink head 22. In the test print process P9, a test pattern obtained by simultaneously ejecting ink from the multiple nozzles 23 of each ink head 22 at a predetermined timing is printed on the printing substrate 5 supported by the support base 40. The user can check the state of the nozzle 23 by visually checking the test pattern printed on the printing substrate 5. For example, it is possible to check that a missing nozzle has occurred by partially breaking the linear test pattern.

[0036] In this embodiment, the control device 90 continuously and automatically executes some of the processes (for example, the above processes P1 to P9) that the control device 90 can execute. Hereinafter, a group of processes that continuously executes some of the processes P1 to P9 is referred to as a script S10 (see FIG. 6). A process included in the script S10 is referred to as a selection process P10 (see FIG. 6).

[0037] In this embodiment, in order to perform control related to the script S10, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 90 includes a storage unit 91, a script creation unit 93, a date and time setting unit 95, a display unit 97, and an execution unit 99. Each unit 91-99 of the control device 90 may be configured by software or may be configured by hardware. For example, each unit 91-99 of the control device 90 may be performed by one or more processors, or may be incorporated into a circuit. In this embodiment, each unit 91-99 of the control device 90 is realized by a control board or the like provided inside the case 11. However, some or all of each unit 91-99 of the control device 90 may be realized by a computer installed outside the case 11. Specific control of the script creation unit 93, the date and time setting unit 95, the display unit 97, and the execution unit 99 will be described later.

[0038] In this embodiment, the display unit 97 of FIG. 5 displays a top screen DP1 on the display screen 81 of the display device 80 as shown in FIG. 7. The top screen DP1 is a screen that is displayed on the display screen 81 when the printer 10 is started or after printing is completed, and is a main screen. The top screen DP1 can be transitioned to a screen for setting the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the top screen DP1 has first to fourth execution buttons BT11 to BT14 arranged thereon. The first to fourth execution buttons BT11 to BT14 are buttons for independently executing a predetermined process when pressed by a user via the operation means 82. For example, by pressing the first execution button BT11, the control device 90 executes a setup process P4 or an unsetup process P5 according to the position of the printing substrate 5 supported by the support table 40. By pressing the second execution button BT12, the control device 90 executes a table suction ON process P6 or a table suction OFF process P7 according to the start or stop state of the table suction mechanism 42. By pressing the third execution button BT13, the control device 90 executes a test printing process P9. When the fourth execute button BT14 is pressed, the control device 90 executes the cleaning process P3. In addition, a setting button BT15 is arranged on the top screen DP1, and when the user presses the setting button BT15 via the operation means 82, a setting screen (not shown) for making various printing settings is displayed on the display screen 81.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of selection processes P10 included in the script S10 are selected by the user. The script creation unit 93 in FIG. 5 creates a script S10 for executing the selection process P10 selected by the user among a plurality of processes P1 to P9 (see FIG. 9) that the control device 90 can execute in a predetermined order A10 specified by the user. The script creation unit 93 can create a plurality of scripts S10. The number of scripts S10 that can be created is not particularly limited, but here, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to create four scripts S11 to S14. The script S10 has a first script S11, a second script S12, a third script S13, and a fourth script S14. The execution unit 99 in FIG. 5 is configured to be able to execute any one of the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14.

[0040] Here, the first script S11 executes a plurality of first selection processes P11 selected by the user from among a plurality of processes P1 to P9 (see FIG. 9) executable by the control device 90, in a predetermined first order A11 designated by the user. The second script S12 executes a plurality of second selection processes P12 selected by the user from among the plurality of processes P1 to P9, in a predetermined second order A12 designated by the user. The third script S13 executes a plurality of third selection processes P13 selected by the user from among the plurality of processes P1 to P9, in a predetermined third order A13 designated by the user. The fourth script S14 executes a plurality of fourth selection processes P14 selected by the user from among the plurality of processes P1 to P9, in a predetermined fourth order A14 designated by the user. For each of the first selection process P11, the second selection process P12, the third selection process P13, and the fourth selection process P14, any of the processes P1 to P9 shown in Fig. 9 is selected by the user. Each of the multiple selection processes P10 may include a different process. Information regarding the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14 (e.g., specific process contents of the first to fourth selection processes P11 to P14) is stored in the storage unit 91 in Fig. 5 after being selected by the user.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, a script button BT20 is arranged on the top screen DP1. The script buttons BT20 include a first script button BT21, a second script button BT22, a third script button BT23, and a fourth script button BT24. When the first to fourth script buttons BT21 to BT24 are pressed by the user via the operation means 82, the execution unit 99 in Fig. 5 executes the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14, respectively.

[0042] As described above, as shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of selection processes P10 (specifically, the first to fourth selection processes P11 to P14) included in the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14 can be selected by the user. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, a script creation button BT25 is arranged on the top screen DP1. When the user presses the script creation button BT25 via the operation means 82, the display unit 97 in Fig. 5 displays a selection screen DP2 on the display screen 81 as shown in Fig. 8.

[0043] The selection screen DP2 is a screen for selecting a plurality of selection processes P10 included in the script S10. Here, a first script selection button BT31, a second script selection button BT32, a third script selection button BT33, and a fourth script selection button BT34 are arranged on the selection screen DP2. The user can select the first to fourth selection processes P11 to P14 included in the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14, respectively, by pressing the first to fourth script selection buttons BT31 to BT34 via the operation means 82.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a selection area AR30 is arranged on the selection screen DP2. When any of the first to fourth script selection buttons BT31 to BT34 is pressed, a selection process P10 included in the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14 corresponding to the pressed button BT31 to BT34 can be selected in the selection area AR30. In this embodiment, the selection area AR30 has first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38. The process selected in the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 becomes the selection process P10 included in the script S10. For example, when the user presses the first script selection button BT31, the process selected in the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 becomes the first selection process P11. Here, the script S10 is configured to execute a plurality of selection processes P10 in order in the order of the selection processes P10 selected in the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38, respectively.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the user selects any one of the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 (for example, by pressing it via the operation means 82), the display unit 97 of FIG. 5 displays the selection candidate screen DP3 shown in FIG. 9 on the display screen 81. The selection candidate screen DP3 is a screen for deciding the selection process P10 to be selected in the selection area selected by the user among the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 of FIG. 8. The selection candidate screen DP3 has buttons arranged corresponding to processes that can be candidates for the selection process P10. In detail, as shown in FIG. 9, the selection candidate screen DP3 has a first decision button BT41 for deciding the power-on process P1 as the selection process P10 and a second decision button BT42 for deciding the ink circulation process P2 as the selection process P10. Also, the selection candidate screen DP3 has a third decision button BT43 for deciding the normal cleaning process P3a as the selected process P10, a fourth decision button BT44 for deciding the medium cleaning process P3b as the selected process P10, and a fifth decision button BT45 for deciding the strong cleaning process P3c as the selected process P10. Also, the selection candidate screen DP3 has a sixth decision button BT46 for deciding the setup process P4 as the selected process P10, a seventh decision button BT47 for deciding the unsetup process P5 as the selected process P10, an eighth decision button BT48 for deciding the base suction ON process P6 as the selected process P10, and a ninth decision button BT49 for deciding the base suction OFF process P7 as the selected process P10. Also, the selection candidate screen DP3 has a tenth decision button BT50 for deciding the lift auto process P8 as the selected process P10, and an eleventh decision button BT51 for deciding the test print process P9 as the selected process P10.

[0046] The user selects, in other words, presses, any one of the decision buttons BT41 to BT51. At this time, the process corresponding to the selected decision button BT41 to BT51 is determined as the selection process P10. For example, in the selection screen DP2 of FIG. 8, when the fifth selection area AR35 is selected and the selection candidate screen DP3 of FIG. 9 is displayed on the display screen 81, if the eleventh decision button BT51 is selected, as shown in FIG. 11, the test print process P9 is displayed in the fifth selection area AR35 of the selection screen DP2. In this way, the selection process P10 is selected in the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 of FIG. 8. It is not necessary to select the selection process P10 for all of the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38, and it is also possible to leave any one of the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 blank. In this case, the script S10 is created based on the selection process P10 of the selection area in which the selection process P10 is selected among the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a clear button BT36 and a create button BT37 are arranged on the selection screen DP2. When the user presses the clear button BT36 via the operation means 82, the selection processes P10 selected in the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 of the selection area AR30 are cleared. When the user presses the create button BT37 via the operation means 82, the script creation unit 93 in FIG. 5 creates a script S10 that executes the multiple selection processes P10 selected in the selection area AR30. Here, the script creation unit 93 creates one of the scripts S10 of the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14 that corresponds to the button pressed by the user among the first to fourth script selection buttons BT31 to BT34. In this embodiment, the selection process P10 is executed in the order of the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38. Therefore, the order of the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38 becomes a predetermined order A10 (see FIG. 6) designated by the user.

[0048] In addition, in FIG. 8, when the first to fourth script selection buttons BT31 to BT34 are selected when the first to fourth script selection buttons S11 to S14 have already been created, the first to fourth selection processes P11 to P14 included in the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14 corresponding to the selected first to fourth script selection buttons BT31 to BT34 are displayed in the selection area AR30.

[0049] In this embodiment, it is possible to set the date and time when the control device 90 automatically executes the script S10. Here, the date and time setting unit 95 in FIG. 5 is configured to set the date and time when the script S10 created by the script creation unit 93 is executed to a predetermined execution date and time designated by the user. This execution date and time is set on a date and time setting screen DP4 shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a date and time setting button BT38 is arranged on the selection screen DP2. When the user presses the date and time setting button BT38 via the operation means 82, the display unit 97 in FIG. 5 displays the date and time setting screen DP4 on the display screen 81.

[0050] Here, the system is configured so that one or more predetermined days of the week can be set as the execution date and time for executing the script S10. As shown in FIG. 10, the date and time setting screen DP4 has a time area AR60 and day of the week check boxes C60. The time area AR60 is configured, for example, by a text box, and the user inputs the time for executing the script S10. The day of the week check boxes C60 specify the day of the week for executing the script S10 at the time set in the time area AR60. Here, the day of the week check boxes C60 are provided with check boxes corresponding to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the user checks the check box corresponding to the day of the week on which he or she wants to execute the script S10.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 10, 8:30 is input in the time area AR60, and the check boxes corresponding to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are checked in the day of the week check box C60. Therefore, the script S10 is automatically executed at 8:30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In this embodiment, the decision button BT60 is arranged on the date and time setting screen DP4. When the user presses the decision button BT60, the day of the week for which the day of the week check box C60 is checked and the time specified in the time area AR60 are set as the execution date and time of the script S10 (more specifically, any one of the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14 selected when the date and time setting button BT38 is pressed in FIG. 8). The set execution date and time is stored in the storage unit 91 of FIG. 5. Note that the execution date and time does not have to be set for all of the first to fourth scripts S11 to S14, and can be set as necessary.

[0052] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a selection screen DP2 in which a plurality of first selection processes P11 included in a first script S11 are displayed in a selection area AR30. In this embodiment, in the example of Fig. 11, a power-on process P1, an ink circulation process P2, a medium cleaning process P3b, a setup process P4, and a test printing process P9 are set as the first selection processes P11 in the first script S11, and are set to be executed in the order of the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38. Here, the number of first selection processes P11 is five. The first script S11 is a script that is executed in the morning of a specified day of the week as a preparatory operation of the printer 10 before printing. For example, when the user presses the first script button BT21 in FIG. 7 via the operating means 82, or when an execution date and time is set in the first script S11 and the set execution date and time arrives, the execution unit 99 in FIG. 5 automatically and consecutively executes multiple first selection processes P11 included in the first script S11 in a predetermined first order A11, namely, a power-on process P1, an ink circulation process P2, an intermediate cleaning process P3b, a setup process P4, and a test printing process P9.

[0053] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a selection screen DP2 in which a plurality of second selection processes P12 included in the second script S12 are displayed in the selection area AR30. In the present embodiment, in the example of FIG. 12, in the second script S12, the base suction ON process P6, the setup process P4, and the lift auto process P8 are selected as the second selection processes P12, and are set to be executed in the order of the first to eighth selection areas AR31 to AR38. Here, the number of second selection processes P12 is three. The second script S12 is a script that serializes a plurality of processes executed immediately before printing. For example, when the user presses the second script button BT22 in FIG. 7 via the operating means 82, or when an execution date and time is set in the second script S12, the execution unit 99 in FIG. 5 automatically executes the plurality of second selection processes P12 included in the second script S12 in succession in a predetermined second order A12, that is, the base suction ON process P6, the setup process P4, and the lift auto process P8.

[0054] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer 10 includes the display device 80 having the display screen 81 and the operation means 82, and the control device 90 capable of executing a plurality of predetermined processes P1 to P9 (see FIG. 9). The control device 90 includes a script creation unit 93, a display unit 97, and an execution unit 99. As shown in FIG. 6, the script creation unit 93 creates a script S10 for executing a plurality of selection processes P10 selected by the user from among the plurality of processes P1 to P9 (see FIG. 9) in a predetermined order A10 designated by the user. The display unit 97 displays a script button BT20 (see FIG. 7) for executing the script S10 created by the script creation unit 93 on the display screen 81. As shown in FIG. 7, when the script button BT20 displayed on the display screen 81 is pressed by the user via the operation means 82, the execution unit 99 executes the plurality of selection processes P10 of the corresponding script S10 successively in the predetermined order A10.

[0055] In this embodiment, a script S10 can be created for executing a plurality of selection processes P10 that the user wants the control device 90 to execute consecutively. Therefore, the plurality of selection processes P10 included in the script S10 can be executed consecutively and automatically by the user performing a single operation of pressing the script button BT20. Therefore, in this embodiment, since there is no need to operate the operating means 82 each time each of the plurality of selection processes P10 is executed, the user's working time required to execute a plurality of selection processes P10 consecutively can be shortened.

[0056] For example, the specific process of the selection process P10 included in the script S10 and the order of the processes may differ for each user. In this embodiment, the selection process P10 included in the script S10 is selected by the user. Therefore, the script S10 can be easily created according to the user's wishes.

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the script S10 has a first script S11, a second script S12, a third script S13, and a fourth script S14, and multiple scripts can be created. As shown in FIG. 7, the script button BT20 has a first script button BT21 for executing the first script S11, a second script button BT22 for executing the second script S12, a third script button BT23 for executing the third script S13, and a fourth script button BT24 for executing the fourth script S14. Depending on the user, there may be multiple groups of multiple processes that are to be executed consecutively. In this case, by creating a script S10 for each of the above groups, even if there are multiple groups of multiple processes that are to be executed consecutively, the user's work time required for each group can be shortened.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the display unit 97 in Fig. 5 arranges and displays the script button BT20 on the top screen DP1 that is displayed on the display screen 81 when the printer 10 is started up. The top screen DP1 is a screen that is frequently displayed on the display screen 81, and is a screen that is frequently operated by the user. In this way, by arranging the script button BT20 on the frequently used top screen DP1, the user can easily access the script button BT20 and easily execute the script S10 quickly.

[0059] In this embodiment, the control device 90 includes a date and time setting unit 95 (see FIG. 5) that sets the date and time for executing the script S10 created by the script creation unit 93 to a predetermined execution date and time designated by the user. The execution unit 99 executes the script S10 at the execution date and time set by the date and time setting unit 95. Some scripts S10 may be executed at a predetermined date and time. In this way, by setting the execution date and time for the script S10 whose execution date and time is predetermined, the multiple selection processes P10 included in the script S10 can be automatically executed in order at the execution date and time without the user pressing the script button BT20. This further shortens the user's work time. In addition, it is possible to prevent the script S10 from not being executed because the user forgets to press the script button BT20.

[0060] In this embodiment, the date and time setting unit 95 is configured to be able to set one or more predetermined days of the week as the execution date and time, as shown in Fig. 10. Some scripts S10 may be executed on a predetermined day of the week. In this way, by setting one or more days of the week for execution as the execution date and time for a script S10 that is predetermined to be executed on a certain day of the week, the script S10 can be automatically executed on the set days of the week without the user pressing the script button BT20.

[0061] In this embodiment, the display unit 97 displays, on the display screen 81, a selection area AR30 in which the user selects a plurality of selection processes P10 to be executed by the script S10, and a selection screen DP2 in which a Create button BT37 is arranged, as shown in Fig. 8. When the Create button BT37 is pressed by the user via the operation means 82, the script creation unit 93 creates a script S10 that executes the plurality of selection processes P10 specified in the selection area AR30. This allows the user to easily select the selection process P10 by the simple procedure of selecting the selection process P10 to be executed by the script S10 in the selection area AR30 of the selection screen DP2 displayed on the display screen 81. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Printers 22 Ink head 40 Support stand 80 Display device 81 Display screen 82 Operating means 90 Control device 93 Script Creation Department 95 Date and time setting section 97 Display section 99 Executive Department A10 Prescribed order BT20 script button P1~P9 Processing P10 Selection process S10 Script

Claims

1. A display device having a display screen and an operation means; A control device capable of executing a plurality of predetermined processes; Equipped with The control device includes: a script creation unit that creates a script for executing a plurality of selected processes selected by a user from among the plurality of processes in a predetermined order designated by the user; a display unit that displays on the display screen a script button for executing the script created by the script creation unit and an execution button for executing a specific process alone among the plurality of processes; an execution unit that, when the script button displayed on the display screen is pressed by a user via the operation means, successively executes the plurality of selection processes of the script in the predetermined order, and, when the execution button displayed on the display screen is pressed by the user via the operation means, independently executes the predetermined process; Equipped with The display unit displays the script button and the execution button on a top screen that is displayed on the display screen upon startup.

2. The script: a first script that executes a plurality of first selected processes selected by a user from among the plurality of processes in a predetermined first order designated by the user; a second script that executes a plurality of second selected processes selected by a user from among the plurality of processes in a predetermined second order designated by the user; having The script button is a first script button for executing the first script; a second script button for executing the second script; 2. The printer of claim 1, comprising:

3. the control device includes a date and time setting unit that sets a date and time for executing the script created by the script creation unit to a predetermined execution date and time designated by a user; The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the execution unit executes the script at the execution date and time set by the date and time setting unit.

4. The printer according to claim 3 , wherein the date and time setting unit is configured to be able to set one or more predetermined days of the week as the execution date and time.

5. the display unit displays, on the display screen, a selection screen in which a selection area in which a user selects the plurality of selection processes to be executed by the script and a create button are arranged; 5. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the script creation unit creates the script for executing the plurality of selection processes specified in the selection area when the creation button is pressed by a user via the operation means.

6. 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the processes executable by the control device include at least a power-on process for turning on a power source.

7. An ink head that ejects ink; an ink flow path connecting an ink tank containing ink and the ink head; Equipped with The ink flow path is a forward flow path, one end of which is connected to the ink tank and the other end of which is connected to the ink head; a return flow path having one end connected to one end of the forward flow path and the other end connected to the other end of the forward flow path; A circulation pump provided in the middle of the return path; having 7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the processes executable by the control device include at least an ink circulation process for circulating ink between the forward flow path and the return flow path by driving the circulation pump.

8. an ink head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink are formed; A cap unit, a wiper unit that wipes the nozzle surface; Equipped with The cap unit is a cap that can be attached to the nozzle face so as to cover the nozzle; a capping mechanism that attaches the cap to and detaches the cap from the nozzle surface; a suction pump connected to the cap; having 8. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the processes executable by the control device include at least a cleaning process for cleaning the ink head using the cap unit and the wiper unit.

9. An ink head that ejects ink; A support table for supporting a printing substrate; a moving mechanism that moves the printing object supported by the support table in a predetermined direction relative to the ink head; Equipped with The processes that the control device can execute include: A setup process for moving the printing substrate supported by the support table to a printing start position; an unsetup process of moving the printing material supported by the support table to a non-printing position; 9. A printer according to claim 1, comprising at least one of:

10. A support table for supporting a printing substrate; a table suction mechanism that sucks the printing medium supported by the support table and brings the printing medium into close contact with the support table; Equipped with The processes that the control device can execute include: a base suction on process for activating the base suction mechanism; a table suction off process for stopping the table suction mechanism; 10. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

11. an ink head having a nozzle surface on which nozzles for ejecting ink are formed; A support table for supporting a printing substrate; A lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the support table; Equipped with A printer described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the processes executable by the control device include at least a lift auto process that controls the lifting mechanism so that the vertical distance between the nozzle surface and the substrate supported by the support table becomes a predetermined printing distance.

12. An ink head having nozzles for ejecting ink is provided, 12. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the processes executable by the control device include at least a test printing process for printing a predetermined test pattern for checking a state of the nozzles.

Images