Inkjet printer

Abstract

To accurately estimate a printing time.SOLUTION: A printer 10 comprises a control device 50 which controls an ink head 40, a carriage 25 and a conveyance device 30. The control device 50 comprises: a storage unit 52 which stores image data being data of an image 70 and including a total pass number constituted by a printing pass number being the number of printing passes 72 in which ink is discharged and the non-printing pass number being the number of non-printing passes 74 in which the ink is not discharged and a conveyance time required for conveying a recording medium 5 by a prescribed distance LX in a sub-scanning direction X; a setting unit 54 which sets a printing width LY per one printing pass 72; a measurement unit 58 which measures the actual movement time required for one reciprocal movement by reciprocally moving the carriage 25 once in a main-scanning direction Y by the printing width LY; and an estimation unit 60 which estimates the printing time required for printing the image 70 on the basis of the image data, the conveyance time and the actual movement time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to inkjet printers. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, inkjet printers have been known that include an ink head that ejects ink onto a recording medium, a carriage that moves the ink head in a main scanning direction, and a transport device that transports the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. Since printing an image onto a relatively large recording medium tends to take a long time, the printing time is predicted at the start of printing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that estimates the processing time from receiving print data to generating a printed matter and completing the printing process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-331282 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, another method of predicting the print time is, for example, a method of predicting based on the total number of passes when printing an image and the carriage movement time when printing one pass. Since the carriage movement time is often approximated from the carriage acceleration / deceleration and carriage movement speed, there may be a discrepancy between the predicted print time and the actual print time.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that can estimate the printing time with higher accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The inventors of the present application noticed that, depending on the image to be printed, the total number of passes may include passes where printing actually occurs (i.e., printing passes) and passes where printing does not occur (i.e., non-printing passes). They noticed that in passes where printing does not occur, there is no need to move the carriage in the main scanning direction, and the recording medium is transported directly in the sub-scanning direction, which shortens the printing time. They therefore discovered that by taking non-printing passes into account, it is possible to estimate the printing time with greater accuracy.

[0007] The inkjet printer according to the present invention includes an ink head that prints an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, a carriage on which the ink head is mounted and which is movable in a main scanning direction, a transport device that transports the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and a control device that controls the ink head, the carriage, and the transport device. The control device includes a storage unit that stores image data, which is data of the image, including a total number of passes consisting of a number of printing passes that is the number of printing passes in which ink is ejected and a number of non-printing passes that is the number of non-printing passes in which ink is not ejected, and a transport time required to transport the recording medium a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction, a setting unit that sets a printing width per printing pass, a measurement unit that moves the carriage back and forth once in the main scanning direction by the printing width and measures an actual travel time required for one reciprocating movement, and an estimation unit that estimates a printing time required to print the image based on the image data, the transport time, and the actual travel time.

[0008] According to the inkjet printer of the present invention, the measurement unit moves the carriage back and forth once in the main scanning direction by the printing width set by the setting unit, and measures the actual movement time required for one back and forth movement. In this way, the actual movement time required for one back and forth movement of the carriage (i.e., the actual movement time) is used, so the printing time per printing pass in which ink is ejected becomes more accurate. Furthermore, the estimation unit estimates the printing time based on the number of non-printing passes in addition to the number of printing passes, the transport time, and the actual movement time. Here, since the carriage is not moved in the main scanning direction in the non-printing passes, it is not necessary to consider the actual movement time in the non-printing passes. In this way, since the estimation unit can estimate the printing time based on the actual printing operation, the estimated printing time becomes more accurate.

[0009] Another inkjet printer according to the present invention includes an ink head that prints an image by ejecting ink onto a recording medium, a carriage on which the ink head is mounted and which is movable in a main scanning direction, a transport device that transports the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and a control device that controls the ink head, the carriage, and the transport device. The control device includes: image data of the image, the image data including a total number of passes consisting of a number of printing passes which is the number of printing passes in which ink is ejected and a number of non-printing passes which is the number of non-printing passes in which ink is not ejected, and a printing width per printing pass associated with the printing passes; a storage unit that stores a table showing the relationship between the movement time required for one reciprocating movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction by the printing width and the printing width; and a transport time required to move the recording medium a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction; and an estimation unit that estimates a printing time required to print the image based on the image data, the table, and the transport time.

[0010] According to another inkjet printer of the present invention, the estimation unit estimates the printing time based on a table showing the relationship between the movement time and the printing width. In this way, the use of the movement time measured in advance makes the printing time per one printing pass in which ink is ejected more accurate. Furthermore, the estimation unit estimates the printing time based on the number of non-printing passes in addition to the number of printing passes, the transport time, and the table. Here, in the non-printing passes, the carriage is not moved in the main scanning direction, so there is no need to consider the movement time in the non-printing passes. In this way, the estimation unit can estimate the printing time based on the printing operation measured in advance, so the estimated printing time becomes more accurate. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inkjet printer that can estimate the printing time with higher accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a printer according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the carriage according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of a printing operation of the printer according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams illustrating an overview of a printing operation of a printer according to a second embodiment.

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an inkjet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Of course, the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0014] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a front view of the printer 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a carriage 25, which will be described later. In the following description, when the printer 10 is viewed from the front, the side going away from the printer 10 is the front, and the side going toward the printer 10 is the rear. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. Furthermore, the symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction, and the symbol X indicates the sub-scanning direction X perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y (for example, perpendicular in a plan view). The main scanning direction Y corresponds to the left-right direction, and the sub-scanning direction X corresponds to the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the rear corresponds to the upstream side of the sub-scanning direction X, and the front corresponds to the downstream side of the sub-scanning direction X. However, these are merely directions for convenience of description, and do not limit the installation mode of the printer 10.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 prints an image on the recording medium 5 by sequentially moving the recording medium 5 wound in a roll forward (i.e., downstream in the sub-scanning direction X) while ejecting ink from an ink head 40 (see FIG. 2) mounted on a carriage 25 that moves in the main scanning direction Y.

[0016] The recording medium 5 is an object on which an image is printed. There is no particular limitation on the recording medium 5. The recording medium 5 may be, for example, paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper, a transparent sheet made of resin or glass, or a sheet made of metal or rubber.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a printer body 10a, a leg 11 that supports the printer body 10a, and a control device 50. The printer body 10a extends in the main scanning direction Y. The printer body 10a includes a guide rail 21, a carriage 25 engaged with the guide rail 21, and a carriage movement mechanism 26. The guide rail 21 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The guide rail 21 guides the movement of the carriage 25 in the main scanning direction Y. An ink head 40 (see FIG. 2) is mounted on the carriage 25. The carriage movement mechanism 26 includes a pulley 23a provided on the right side of the guide rail 21, a pulley 23b provided on the left side of the guide rail 21, an endless belt 22 wound around the pulleys 23a and 23b, and a carriage motor 24 attached to the right pulley 23a. The belt 22 is fixed to the carriage 25. The carriage motor 24 is electrically connected to the control device 50. The carriage motor 24 is controlled by the control device 50. When the carriage motor 24 is driven, the pulley 23a rotates and the belt 22 runs. This causes the carriage 25 to move in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 21. In this manner, the carriage 25 moves in the main scanning direction Y, whereby the ink head 40 also moves in the main scanning direction Y.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a platen 12 is disposed below the carriage 25. The platen 12 extends in the main scanning direction Y. A recording medium 5 is placed on the platen 12. A pinch roller 31 that presses down the recording medium 5 from above is disposed above the platen 12. The pinch roller 31 is disposed behind the carriage 25. A grit roller 32 is disposed on the platen 12. The grit roller 32 is disposed below the pinch roller 31. The grit roller 32 is disposed at a position facing the pinch roller 31. The grit roller 32 is connected to a feed motor 33 (see FIG. 3). The grit roller 32 is formed so as to be rotatable by receiving a driving force of the feed motor 33. The feed motor 33 is electrically connected to a control device 50. The feed motor 33 is controlled by the control device 50. When the grit roller 32 rotates with the recording medium 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 31 and the grit roller 32, the recording medium 5 is transported in the sub-scanning direction X. In this embodiment, the pinch roller 31, the grit roller 32, and the feed motor 33 are an example of a conveying device 30 that conveys the recording medium 5 in the sub-scanning direction X.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the ink head 40 is held on the lower surface of the carriage 25. The ink head 40 is formed in a shape in which the length in the sub-scanning direction X is longer than the length in the main scanning direction Y. The ink heads 40 are formed in the same shape and size. The ink heads 40 are arranged at the same position in the sub-scanning direction X. The ink head 40 includes a plurality of nozzles 41 aligned in the sub-scanning direction X and a nozzle surface 42 in which the nozzles 41 are formed. The nozzles 41 eject ink onto the recording medium 5. In FIG. 2, the ink head 40 is illustrated with 12 nozzles, but in reality, many more nozzles (for example, 180 nozzles) are formed. However, the number of nozzles is not limited in any way. The number of ink heads 40 is not limited to four.

[0020] 1, an operation panel 15 is provided on the right end of the printer body 10a. The operation panel 15 is provided with a display unit that displays the device status, input keys operated by the user, etc. Inside the operation panel 15, a control device 50 that controls various operations of the printer 10 is housed.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 50 is communicatively connected to the operation panel 15, the carriage motor 24 of the carriage movement mechanism 26, the feed motor 33 of the transport device 30, and the ink head 40. The control device 50 controls the operation of the ink head 40, the carriage 25, and the transport device 30. The control device 50 is typically a computer. The control device 50 includes, for example, an interface (I / F) that receives image data (print data) and the like from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program, a ROM that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the above-mentioned program and various data.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 50 includes a storage unit 52, a setting unit 54, an image printing unit 56, a measurement unit 58, and an estimation unit 60. The functions of each unit of the control device 50 are realized by a program. The program is read from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD. The program may be downloaded via the Internet. The functions of each unit of the control device 50 may be realized by a processor and / or a circuit. The specific functions of each unit will be described later.

[0023] The storage unit 52 stores image data. The image data represents a predetermined image 70 (see FIG. 4). The image data includes a total number of passes. The total number of passes is composed of a printing pass number, which is the number of printing passes 72 (see FIG. 4) on which ink is ejected, and a non-printing pass number, which is the number of non-printing passes 74 (see FIG. 4) on which ink is not ejected. The total number of passes in this embodiment is equal to the number of times the recording medium 5 is transported a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction X when printing an image based on one image data. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the total number of passes is 7, and the passes are arranged from front to rear in the order of non-printing pass 74A, printing pass 72A, printing pass 72B, non-printing pass 74B, printing pass 72C, printing pass 72D, and non-printing pass 74C. That is, the number of printing passes is 4, and the number of non-printing passes is 3. The storage unit 52 stores the transport time required to transport the recording medium 5 a predetermined distance LX in the sub-scanning direction X. Here, the recording medium 5 is transported from rear to front (i.e., from the upstream side to the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction X). The predetermined distance LX is common to each pass. That is, the recording medium 5 is transported forward (i.e., downstream in the sub-scanning direction X) by the predetermined distance LX at a time.

[0024] The setting unit 54 sets the printing width LY per printing pass. The printing width LY is set by the user via the operation panel 15, for example. In one printing pass, the carriage 25 moves by the printing width LY in the forward direction Y1, which is a direction from right to left in the main scanning direction Y, and then moves by the printing width LY in the return direction Y2, which is a direction from left to right in the main scanning direction Y. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the printing width LY is the length from the right end of the carriage 25 located at the movement start position HP to the left end of the recording medium 5. Note that the printing width LY may be set to the minimum length that allows ink to be ejected to the part of the image 70 that is the farthest in the main scanning direction Y from the movement start position HP of the carriage 25. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the printing width LYM is the minimum length that allows ink to be ejected to the part 70A of the image 70 that is the farthest in the main scanning direction Y from the movement start position HP of the carriage 25.

[0025] The image printing unit 56 controls the carriage motor 24, the feed motor 33, and the ink head 40 to print an image on the recording medium 5. The image printing unit 56 prints an image based on image data stored in the storage unit 52 on the recording medium 5 by forward printing and backward printing. Here, "forward printing" refers to printing in which ink is ejected from the nozzles 41 onto the recording medium 5 while moving the ink head 40 in the forward direction Y1. Also, "backward printing" refers to printing in which ink is ejected from the nozzles 41 onto the recording medium 5 while moving the ink head 40 in the backward direction Y2. When one forward printing and one backward printing are each completed in the printing pass 72, the image printing unit 56 controls the feed motor 33 to transport the recording medium 5 forward (i.e., downstream in the sub-scanning direction X). Furthermore, the image printing unit 56 controls the feed motor 33 to transport the recording medium 5 forward in the non-printing pass 74 without performing forward printing and backward printing (i.e., without moving the carriage 25 in the main scanning direction Y). The image printing unit 56 repeats forward printing and backward printing and transport of the recording medium 5 to print an image on the recording medium 5. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the image printing unit 56 transports the recording medium 5 forward by a predetermined distance LX in the non-printing passes 74A, 74B, and 74C without moving the carriage 25 in the main scanning direction Y. Furthermore, the image printing unit 56 moves the carriage 25 by the printing width LY in the forward direction Y1, then moves it by the printing width LY in the backward direction Y2, and then transports the recording medium 5 forward by the predetermined distance LX in the printing passes 72A, 72B, 72C, and 72D.

[0026] The measurement unit 58 moves the carriage 25 back and forth once in the main scanning direction Y by the printing width LY, and measures the actual movement time required for one reciprocating movement. The measurement unit 58 usually measures the actual movement time at the same time when the image printing unit 56 prints an image based on the image data stored in the storage unit 52. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the measurement unit 58 measures the actual movement time required for the carriage 25 to move back and forth once in the main scanning direction Y by the printing width LY in the printing path 72A. Note that the measurement unit 58 may move the carriage 25 back and forth once in the main scanning direction Y by the printing width LY set by the setting unit 54 in advance before the image printing unit 56 starts printing the image, and measure the actual movement time required for one reciprocating movement.

[0027] The estimation unit 60 estimates the printing time required to print an image based on the number of printing passes and the number of non-printing passes included in the image data stored in the storage unit 52, the transport time stored in the storage unit 52, and the actual movement time measured by the measurement unit 58. For example, the estimation unit 60 determines the sum of the actual movement time and the transport time for one printing pass as the printing pass time, and determines the transport time for one non-printing pass as the non-printing pass time. The estimation unit 60 then estimates the printing time from the number of printing passes and the printing pass time, and the number of non-printing passes and the non-printing pass time. In the example shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the transport time is TA and the actual movement time is TB, the estimation unit 60 estimates the printing time as 4(TA+TB)+3TA.

[0028] As described above, according to the printer 10 of this embodiment, the measurement unit 58 moves the carriage 25 back and forth once in the main scanning direction Y by the printing width LY set by the setting unit 54, and measures the actual movement time required for one back and forth movement. In this way, since the actual movement time required for one back and forth movement of the carriage 25 (i.e., the actual movement time) is used, the printing time per one printing pass 72 in which ink is ejected becomes more accurate. Furthermore, the estimation unit 60 estimates the printing time based on the number of printing passes, the transport time, and the actual movement time in addition to the number of non-printing passes. Here, since the carriage 25 is not moved in the main scanning direction Y in the non-printing pass 74, it is not necessary to consider the actual movement time in the non-printing pass 74. In this way, since the estimation unit 60 can estimate the printing time based on the actual printing operation, the estimated printing time becomes more accurate.

[0029] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the estimation unit 60 determines the sum of the actual movement time and the transport time as the printing pass time for one printing pass 72, and determines the transport time as the non-printing pass time for one non-printing pass 74. This makes it possible to estimate the printing time with higher accuracy.

[0030] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the printing width LYM is set to the minimum length that allows ink to be ejected to the portion 70A of the image that is the farthest in the main scanning direction Y from the movement start position HP of the carriage 25. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of movement of the carriage 25, thereby realizing a reduction in printing time.

[0031] <Second embodiment> Next, a printer 110 according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer 110 according to the second embodiment. The printer 110 has the same configuration as the printer 10, except that the printer 110 includes a control device 150 instead of the control device 50.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 150 includes a storage unit 152, an estimation unit 154, an image printing unit 56, a measurement unit 158, and a correction unit 160. The functions of each unit of the control device 150 are realized by a program. The program is read from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD. The program may be downloaded via the Internet. The functions of each unit of the control device 150 may be realized by a processor and / or a circuit. The specific functions of each unit will be described later.

[0033] The storage unit 152 stores image data. The image data represents a predetermined image 170 (see FIG. 6). The image data includes a total number of passes. The total number of passes is composed of a printing pass number, which is the number of printing passes 172 (see FIG. 6) on which ink is ejected, and a non-printing pass number, which is the number of non-printing passes 174 (see FIG. 6) on which ink is not ejected. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the total number of passes is 7, and the non-printing passes are arranged in the order of non-printing pass 174A, printing pass 172A, printing pass 172B, non-printing pass 174B, printing pass 172C, printing pass 172D, and non-printing pass 174C from front to rear. That is, the number of printing passes is 4, and the number of non-printing passes is 3. The printing pass 172 is associated with a printing width LY per printing pass. The printing width LY here is the minimum printing width required to print the image 170 included in the printing pass 172. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the printing path 172A is associated with a printing width LY1, the printing path 172B is associated with a printing width LY2, and the printing paths 172C and 172D are associated with a printing width LY3. The printing width LY1 is the minimum length capable of ejecting ink to a portion 170A of the image 170 included in the printing path 172A that is the furthest in the main scanning direction Y from the movement start position HP of the carriage 25. The printing width LY2 is the minimum length capable of ejecting ink to a portion 170B of the image 170 included in the printing path 172B that is the furthest in the main scanning direction Y from the movement start position HP of the carriage 25. The printing width LY3 is the minimum length capable of ejecting ink to a portion 170C of the image 170 included in the printing paths 172C and 172D that is the furthest in the main scanning direction Y from the movement start position HP of the carriage 25. The storage unit 152 stores the transport time required to transport the recording medium 5 by a predetermined distance LX in the sub-scanning direction X. The predetermined distance LX is common to each pass. The storage unit 152 stores a table showing the relationship between the movement time required for one reciprocating movement of the carriage 25 in the main scanning direction Y by the printing width and the printing width per printing pass.

[0034] The estimation unit 154 estimates the printing time required to print an image based on the number of printing passes, the number of non-printing passes, the printing width, the table, and the transport time included in the image data stored in the storage unit 152. For example, the estimation unit 154 determines the sum of the movement time and the transport time for each printing pass as the printing pass time, and determines the transport time for one non-printing pass as the non-printing pass time. The estimation unit 154 then estimates the printing time from the number of printing passes and the printing pass time, and the number of non-printing passes and the non-printing pass time. The estimation unit 154 estimates the printing time before printing by the image printing unit 56 is started. For example, the estimation unit 154 estimates the printing time when image data transmitted from an external device is received. In the example shown in FIG. 6, for example, if the transport time is TA, the movement time of printing path 172A is TC, the movement time of printing path 172B is TD, and the movement time of printing paths 172C, 172C is TE, then the printing time is estimated by the estimation unit 154 as (TA+TC)+(TA+TD)+2(TA+TE)+3TA.

[0035] 6, the image printing unit 56 conveys the recording medium 5 forward by a predetermined distance LX (i.e., downstream in the sub-scanning direction X) in the non-printing passes 174A, 174B, and 174C without moving the carriage 25 in the main scanning direction Y. Also, the image printing unit 56 moves the carriage 25 by printing widths LY1, LY2, LY3, and LY3 in the forward direction Y1, and then moves the carriage 25 by printing widths LY1, LY2, LY3, and LY3 in the return direction Y2, and then conveys the recording medium 5 forward by a predetermined distance LX in the second embodiment. Thus, in the second embodiment, the printing width LY when printing the image 170 may differ for each printing pass.

[0036] The measurement unit 158 ​​measures the actual movement time required for one reciprocating movement of the carriage 25 in the main scanning direction Y by the printing width LY based on the image data stored in the storage unit 152. The measurement unit 158 ​​normally measures the actual movement time for each printing pass 172 at the same time that the image printing unit 56 prints an image based on the image data stored in the storage unit 152. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the measurement unit 158 ​​measures the actual movement time required for the carriage 25 to make one reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction Y by the printing widths LY1, LY2, LY3, and LY3 in printing passes 172A, 172B, 172C, and 172D, respectively.

[0037] The correction unit 160 corrects the printing time estimated by the estimation unit 154 based on the actual movement time measured by the measurement unit 158. Note that the correction unit 160 does not correct the printing time if there is no difference between the actual movement time measured by the measurement unit 158 ​​and the movement time shown in the table. The correction unit 160 also corrects the movement time of the table stored in the storage unit 152 based on the actual movement time measured by the measurement unit 158. For example, if the movement time associated with the printing width LY1 of the table is S1 seconds and the actual movement time measured by the measurement unit 158 ​​is S2 seconds, the correction unit 160 corrects the movement time associated with the printing width LY1 of the table to S2 seconds.

[0038] As described above, according to the printer 110 of this embodiment, the estimation unit 154 estimates the printing time based on a table showing the relationship between the movement time and the printing width LY. In this way, since the movement time measured in advance is used, the printing time per one printing pass 172 in which ink is ejected becomes more accurate. Furthermore, the estimation unit 154 estimates the printing time based on the number of non-printing passes in addition to the number of printing passes, the transport time, and the table. Here, since the carriage 25 is not moved in the main scanning direction Y in the non-printing pass 174, it is not necessary to consider the movement time in the non-printing pass 174. In this way, since the estimation unit 154 can estimate the printing time based on the printing operation measured in advance, the estimated printing time becomes more accurate.

[0039] In the printer 110 of this embodiment, the estimation unit 154 determines the sum of the movement time and the transport time for each printing pass 172 as the printing pass time, and determines the transport time as the non-printing pass time for one non-printing pass 174. This makes it possible to estimate the printing time with higher accuracy.

[0040] In the printer 110 of this embodiment, the control device 150 includes a measurement unit 158 ​​that measures the actual movement time required for one reciprocating movement of the carriage 25 in the main scanning direction Y by the printing width LY based on the image data, and a correction unit 160 that corrects the print time based on the actual movement time. Here, there is a risk that the movement time of the carriage 25 will change due to changes over time. Therefore, by correcting the print time based on the actual movement time required for one reciprocating movement of the carriage 25 (i.e., the actual movement time), the print time becomes more accurate.

[0041] In the printer 110 of this embodiment, the correction unit 160 corrects the movement time of the table based on the actual movement time, thereby making the printing time per one printing pass 172 in which ink is ejected more accurate.

[0042] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in various other forms.

[0043] The technology disclosed herein can be applied to various types of printers, including the so-called roll-to-roll type printer 10 that conveys the roll-shaped recording medium 5 shown in the above embodiment, as well as flatbed type printers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 5 Recording media 10 Printer (inkjet printer) 25 Carriage 30 Transport device 40 Ink Head 50 Control device 52 Storage section 54 Setting section 58 Measurement section 60 Estimation part 70 images 72 Printing Path 74 Non-printing Passes

Claims

1. an ink head that ejects ink onto a recording medium to print an image; a carriage on which the ink head is mounted and which is movable in a main scanning direction; a conveying device that conveys the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction; a control device that controls the ink head, the carriage, and the transport device, The control device includes: a storage unit that stores image data of the image, the image data including a total number of passes configured from a number of printing passes, which is the number of printing passes in which ink is ejected, and a number of non-printing passes, which is the number of non-printing passes in which ink is not ejected, and a transport time required to transport the recording medium a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction; A setting unit that sets a printing width per printing pass; a measurement unit that moves the carriage back and forth once in the main scanning direction by the printing width before printing of the image is started, and measures an actual movement time required for one back and forth movement; an estimation unit that estimates a printing time required to print the image based on the image data, the transport time, and the actual movement time.

2. 2 . The inkjet printer according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit determines, for one of the printing passes, a sum of the actual movement time and the transport time as a printing pass time, and, for one of the non-printing passes, determines the transport time as a non-printing pass time.

3. 3. The inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing width is set to a minimum length that enables ink to be ejected to a portion of the image that is furthest from a movement start position of the carriage in the main scanning direction.

Images