Printing device and printing method

Abstract

To make it possible to use an appropriate value acquired by an environment sensor even if heat is accumulated in an inner part of a printing device.SOLUTION: A printer 100 includes: a printing unit 140 that performs printing on a medium; a cooling unit 141 that cools the printing unit 140; an environmental value detecting unit 142 that detects an environmental value that is a value corresponding to a physical quantity of an environment around the printing unit 140; an environmental value storing unit 144 that stores an environmental value detected by the environmental value detecting unit 142 before printing is started; and a printing control unit 151 that, when printing is started, selects either the environmental value detected by the environmental value detecting unit 142 after cooling is started and the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit 144, calculates a parameter with which printing is to be performed by the printing unit 140 using the selected environmental value; and causes the printing unit 140 to perform printing using the calculated parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing device and a printing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrophotographic image forming devices have traditionally been used as printing devices. The development process and transfer process of the electrophotographic process are heavily influenced by humidity because they involve handling powder. Furthermore, the resistance of the rollers that relay the development bias and transfer bias varies with temperature. To compensate for this, the roller temperature and humidity are necessary. Furthermore, low media temperatures result in poor fixation. Therefore, the media temperature is necessary to correct the fixation temperature.

[0003] In a typical office environment, these temperatures and humidity levels are similar to those of the equipment installation environment, so environmental sensors are used to measure the environmental temperature and humidity.

[0004] Generally, in electrophotographic image forming devices, the more images formed per unit time, the more heat is generated in the fixing and developing units, and since this heat is also transmitted to the environmental sensor, the detection results of the environmental temperature and humidity tend to be higher.

[0005] Therefore, for example, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a fan is provided in the fixing unit to exhaust the heat generated in the fixing unit and cool the inside of the image forming apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-34873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, while the fan inside the image forming device is rotating, the heat inside the image forming device can be discharged, but once the image formation is completed and the fan stops, the heat inside the image forming device is not discharged and heat builds up inside the image forming device.

[0008] If image formation is resumed while heat is trapped inside the image forming apparatus, the heat is transferred to the environmental sensor provided inside the image forming apparatus, increasing the error in the value read by the environmental sensor.

[0009] The heat trapped inside the image forming device does not immediately decrease even when the fan is turned on; in some cases, it can take over a hundred seconds for the temperature to decrease, making it impossible to use the values ​​detected by the environmental sensor when needed.

[0010] Therefore, one or more aspects of the present disclosure aim to make it possible to use appropriate values ​​acquired by an environmental sensor even when heat is trapped inside the printing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A printing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a printing unit that prints on a medium, a cooling unit that cools the printing unit, an environmental value detection unit that detects an environmental value that is a value corresponding to a physical quantity of an environment, an environmental value storage unit that stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit before the current printing starts, and If a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit after the start of the cooling is selected, and if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit is selected. a print control unit that calculates parameters for performing the current printing in the printing unit using the selected environmental values, and causes the printing unit to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters; an environmental value processing unit that, when an operating time during which the cooling unit has been operating after the printing unit has started the current printing has exceeded a second threshold time that is a predetermined time, causes the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit after the operating time has exceeded the second threshold time to be stored in the environmental value storage unit as a new environmental value; Equipped with When the new environment value is saved, the print control unit determines whether or not the first threshold time has elapsed since the new environment value was saved in the next printing. It is characterized by:

[0012] A printing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a printing method performed by a printing device having a printing unit that prints on a medium, the printing method comprising: storing an environmental value that is a value corresponding to a physical quantity of a surrounding environment detected before the current printing is started; and, when the current printing is started, If a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was saved, the environmental value detected after the cooling of the printing unit was started is selected, and if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was saved, the stored environmental value is selected.Using the selected environmental values, parameters for performing the current printing in the printing unit are calculated, and the printing unit performs the current printing using the calculated parameters. and when an operating time, which is a time during which the cooling unit operates to perform the cooling after the printing unit starts the current printing, exceeds a second threshold time, which is a predetermined time, the environmental value detected after the operating time has exceeded the second threshold time is saved as a new environmental value, and when the new environmental value is saved, it is determined in the next printing whether or not the first threshold time has passed since the new environmental value was saved. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, even if heat builds up inside the printing device, it is possible to use appropriate values ​​acquired by the environmental sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a printer as a printing device according to first to third embodiments. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mounting position of the fan. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the mounting position of the fan. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control system circuit included in the printer. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions executed by the printer according to the first to third embodiments. [Figure 6] 10 is a graph illustrating an overshoot when an environment sensor is placed adjacent to the intake port of an ID cooling fan. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in the printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a table showing changes in temperature detected in a printer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in a printer according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a printing operation in a printer according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the main configuration of a printer 100 as a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Here, a printer 100 will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process. The printer 100 includes a paper feed unit 101, an image forming unit 102 as a printing unit, and a fixing unit 103.

[0016] The paper supply unit 101 is a medium supply unit that supplies paper as a medium on which an image is formed in the printer 100 . The image forming unit 102 forms a toner image as a developer image on a sheet of paper supplied by the paper supply unit 101 using an electrophotographic process. The fixing unit 103 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet of paper.

[0017] In addition, in this embodiment, an environmental sensor 104 is provided in the environment in which the printer 100 is installed, which is a sensor for detecting environmental values, which are values ​​corresponding to physical quantities required for processing by the printer 100. In this embodiment, the environment sensor 104 includes a temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature, which is the temperature of the surroundings, and a humidity sensor for measuring the ambient humidity, which is the humidity of the surroundings.

[0018] Between the image forming unit 102 and the fixing unit 103, a duct 110 is provided as a ventilation section having a wall surface (wall section) that forms an air passage.

[0019] 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing the mounting positions of the fans. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mounting position of the fan, and FIG. 3 is a top view showing the mounting position of the fan.

[0020] 2, printer 100 includes a paper feed unit 101, an image forming unit 102, and a fixing unit 103. A sheet of paper fed from paper feed unit 101 passes through paper feed route 105, which serves as a medium supply route, inside printer 100 and is ejected to the outside of printer 100.

[0021] The toner used as the developer in the development process in the image forming unit 102 is charged by friction between the developing roller 106 and the developing blade 107 included in the image forming unit 102. This method of charging the toner is called a friction charging method. In the friction charging method, the area that is subject to friction becomes very hot. To cool this hot area, an ID cooling fan 108 is provided adjacent to the image forming unit 102.

[0022] The fixing unit 103 also incorporates a heating roller that is heated to a high temperature of 160°C to 170°C, and a pressure roller that presses the medium toward the heating roller. The fixing unit 103 melts the toner using the heat of the heating roller and the pressure of the pressure roller to fix it to the medium. A fixing fan 109 is provided adjacent to the fixing unit 103 to exhaust this heat and water vapor that is released from the medium during fixing to the outside of the printer 100. The fixing fan 109 is also called an exhaust fan because it exhausts air from the printer 100 by rotating.

[0023] 3, in this embodiment, a duct 110 for ventilation and triple ID cooling fans 108 are provided adjacent to the image forming unit 102. The triple ID cooling fans 108 send air into the image forming unit 102 through the duct 110. The air sent to the image forming unit 102 is taken in through an air intake port 111 of the duct 110. An environmental sensor 104 is provided adjacent to the air intake port 111 in the path of the air taken in through the air intake port 111. Because air is taken into the printer 100 by the rotating ID cooling fans 108, each of the ID cooling fans 108 is also referred to as an intake fan.

[0024] The fixing fan 109 blows air in the direction of the fixing unit 103 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, at least one of the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 will also be referred to as the device fan.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram that schematically shows a control circuit provided in printer 100 according to the first embodiment. The control board 120 that controls the printer 100 includes a processor 121 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a FLASH ROM (Read-Only Memory) 122, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 123, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 124. The control board 120 also includes a driver IC (Integrated Circuit) and ICs for each interface, which are not shown.

[0026] The control board 120 supplies power and outputs a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal as an alternating signal to the environment sensor 104. The control board 120 receives a voltage indicating a value corresponding to the detected temperature, which is the environmental temperature, and a voltage indicating a value corresponding to the detected humidity, which is the environmental humidity, from the environment sensor 104.

[0027] Then, the processor 121 of the control board 120 calculates the environmental temperature and humidity from the input voltage, and determines the development bias, transfer bias, and fixing temperature.

[0028] For example, when the ambient humidity is lower than the threshold humidity, which is a predetermined threshold humidity, the processor 121 corrects the development bias so that it is lower than the reference development bias, which is a predetermined development bias, and corrects the transfer bias so that it is higher than the predetermined reference transfer bias.

[0029] Furthermore, when the environmental temperature is lower than a threshold temperature, which is a temperature that serves as a predetermined threshold, the processor 121 corrects the fixing temperature so that it is higher than a reference fixing temperature, which is a predetermined fixing temperature. Here, an example will be described in which the reference fixing temperature is 160°C. When the environmental temperature is 10°C or lower, the processor 121 sets the fixing temperature to, for example, 165°C. When the environmental temperature is 5°C or lower, the processor 121 sets the fixing temperature to, for example, 170°C.

[0030] The processor 121 issues a command to the high-voltage board 130 to output the determined development bias and transfer bias, and the high-voltage board 130, in accordance with the command, outputs the development bias to the image forming unit 102 and outputs the transfer bias to the transfer roller 131 (see Figure 1) as a transfer section.

[0031] The control board 120 also controls an ID motor 132 that drives various rollers included in the image forming unit 102, a fixing motor 133 that drives a heating roller and a pressure roller included in the fixing unit 103, an ID cooling fan 108, and a fixing fan 109. Furthermore, the control board 120 is connected to an actuator (not shown) and performs a series of printing controls (image formation controls) such as paper feeding, development, transfer, and fixing.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing functions executed by the printer 100 according to the first embodiment. The printer 100 includes a printing unit 140 as an image forming unit, a cooling unit 141, an environmental value detection unit 142, an environmental value temporary storage unit 143, an environmental value saving unit 144, and a control unit 150.

[0033] Printing unit 140 prints on a medium. For example, printing unit 140 transports paper as a medium, forms an image on the paper, and outputs the image. Printing unit 140 is a printer main body (image forming device main body) that includes paper feed unit 101, image forming unit 102, fixing unit 103, and transfer roller 131 shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] The cooling unit 141 cools the printing unit 140. The cooling unit 141 includes at least one of the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 shown in FIG. 2 or 3. In the present embodiment, the cooling unit 141 performs cooling using a fan, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the cooling unit 141 may perform cooling using a liquid such as water, or may perform cooling using a Peltier element or the like.

[0035] The environmental value detection unit 142 detects environmental values ​​that are values ​​corresponding to physical quantities of the environment. The environmental value detection unit 142 is realized by the environmental sensor 104. Here, the environmental value detection unit 142 detects environmental values ​​that correspond to physical quantities of the environment around the printing unit 140.

[0036] The environment value temporary storage unit 143 temporarily stores the environment values ​​detected by the environment value detection unit 142. Here, the environment value temporary storage unit 143 stores the environment values ​​in response to an instruction from the control unit 150. The environment value temporary storage unit 143 is realized by the RAM 124.

[0037] The environmental value storage unit 144 stores the environmental values ​​measured by the environmental value detection unit 142. Here, the environmental value storage unit 144 stores the environmental values ​​in response to instructions from the control unit 150. The environmental values ​​stored in the environmental value storage unit 144 are the environmental values ​​detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 before the current printing session begins. In other words, the environmental value storage unit 144 stores the environmental values ​​after cooling of the printing unit 140 is complete. The environmental value storage unit 144 is realized by the EEPROM 123.

[0038] The control unit 150 controls the overall processing in the printer 100 . The control unit 150 includes a print control unit 151 as an image formation control unit, an environmental value processing unit 152, and a timer unit 153.

[0039] The control unit 150 is realized by the processor 121 executing a program stored in the flash ROM 122, which functions as a memory. Such a program may be provided via a network or may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium. That is, such a program may be provided as a program product, for example.

[0040] In addition, part or all of the control unit 150 can also be configured with a processing circuit such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a processor operated by a program, a parallel processor operated by a program, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). As described above, the control unit 150 can be realized by a processing circuit network.

[0041] The print control unit 151 controls the print unit 140 to form an image on a medium. For example, when the printing unit 140 starts the current printing, the printing control unit 151 selects either the environmental values ​​detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the cooling unit 141 starts cooling, or the environmental values ​​stored in the environmental value storage unit 144. Then, the printing control unit 151 calculates parameters for the current printing by the printing unit 140 using the selected environmental values, and causes the printing unit 140 to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters. This allows the printing control unit 151 to calculate parameters using the environmental values ​​after the cooling of the printing unit 140 has completed.

[0042] Specifically, if a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit 144, the print control unit 151 selects the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the cooling unit 141 started cooling, and if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit 144, the print control unit 151 selects the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit 144.

[0043] The environmental value may be a voltage value corresponding to the environmental temperature, which is the temperature of the environment surrounding the printing unit 140, or a voltage value corresponding to the environmental temperature, which is the temperature of the environment surrounding the printing unit 140, and a voltage value corresponding to the environmental humidity, which is the humidity of the environment surrounding the printing unit 140.

[0044] Furthermore, if the printer 100 is an image forming apparatus that utilizes an electrophotographic process, the parameter may be at least one of the fixing temperature, the developing bias, and the transfer bias. On the other hand, if the printer 100 is an inkjet printer (recording device), the parameter may be at least one of the ink ejection voltage and the drying time.

[0045] The environmental value processing unit 152 processes the environmental values ​​detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 . For example, the environment value processing unit 152 temporarily stores the environment values ​​detected by the environment value detection unit 142 in the environment value temporary storage unit 143. Furthermore, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the environment value processing unit 152 stores the necessary environment values ​​from among the environment values ​​temporarily stored in the environment value temporary storage unit 143 in the environment value saving unit 144.

[0046] Specifically, if the operating time, which is the time during which the cooling unit 141 has been operating after the printing unit 140 has started the current printing, exceeds a second threshold time, which is a predetermined time, the environmental value processing unit 152 stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the operating time has exceeded the second threshold time in the environmental value storage unit 144 as a new environmental value. In this case, the print control unit 151 determines whether the first threshold time has elapsed since the new environment value was saved. Note that if a predetermined third threshold time has elapsed since the environmental values ​​were saved in the environmental value saving unit 144 but the first threshold time has not yet elapsed, the print control unit 151 operates the cooling unit 141 until the second threshold time has elapsed, even if the current printing ends before the operating time of the cooling unit 141 has elapsed the second threshold time. This allows the environmental values ​​saved in the environmental value saving unit 144 to be updated with the environmental values ​​detected after the printing unit 140 has been sufficiently cooled. Note that the third threshold time is shorter than the first threshold time.

[0047] The timer 153 measures time. For example, the timer 153 measures the time since the environmental value was saved in the environmental value saving unit 144 and the time the device fan has been operating.

[0048] Next, the operation of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. The printer 100 starts printing (image formation) when the print control unit 151 receives an instruction from a host computer (not shown) via an interface (not shown).

[0049] When starting printing, the print control unit 151 determines the development bias, transfer bias, and fixing temperature based on the output of the environment sensor 104. At the same time as determining the development bias and transfer bias, the print control unit 151 warms up the fixing unit 103. At the same time that the temperature of the fixing unit 103 reaches the fixing temperature, the print control unit 151 turns a paper feed motor (not shown) to cause the paper feed unit 101 to start feeding a sheet of paper.

[0050] At the same time as paper feeding begins, the print control unit 151 operates the image forming unit 102, and when a sheet of paper reaches a paper feed sensor (not shown), exposure begins. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 160 (see FIG. 2) through exposure is developed into a toner image, which is then transferred to the sheet of paper in a transfer process. The transferred toner image is carried to the fixing unit 103 along with the conveyance of the sheet of paper, where it is fixed by heat of approximately 160°C and pressure, and then ejected.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining overshoot when the environment sensor 104 is placed in a position adjacent to the intake port 111 of the ID cooling fan 108. In FIG. Period T1 indicates a period during which the printer 100 is powered on and printing is being performed, and period T2 indicates a period during which the printer 100 is powered off. Then, at time ts, the printer 100 is turned on again, and printing is performed by the printer 100 during a period T3.

[0052] In FIG. 6, line L1 indicates the environmental temperature calculated from the voltage detected by the environmental sensor 104, and line L2 indicates the outside air temperature, which is the actual temperature in the environment where the printer 100 is placed.

[0053] During printing indicated by period T1, the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 are rotating, so the calculated environmental temperature is approximately the same as the outside air temperature, although it deviates by 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius from the outside air temperature.

[0054] As shown in period T2, when the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 are stopped after printing is completed, the air around the air intake 111 is heated by the heat from the fixing unit 103, and the heat of the air around the air intake 111 flows into the environmental sensor 104, causing the calculated environmental temperature to rise by approximately 10°C above the outside air temperature.

[0055] At time ts, the print control unit 151 receives a print instruction from the host computer, and even though the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 are rotated, it takes about two minutes for the temperature to reach the outside temperature +3°C. If the ambient temperature is acquired two minutes after receiving a print command and printing begins, usability will be extremely poor. However, there is no point in measuring the ambient temperature if the temperature is off by 10°C.

[0056] For this reason, in this embodiment, the environmental value processing unit 152 stores the voltage value output from the environmental sensor 104 at the end of the previous printing in the environmental value storage unit 144. Then, if printing is performed after the heat accumulated inside the printer 100 has escaped (here, after two hours) since the voltage value was saved, the print control unit 151 uses the output of the environmental sensor 104 after printing started, but if printing is performed within two hours, the print control unit 151 uses the voltage value saved in the environmental value storage unit 144, thereby enabling printing with minimal error.

[0057] When the voltage value from the environment sensor 104 is stored in the environment value storage unit 144, an accurate temperature cannot be obtained unless the ID cooling fan 108 has been rotating for at least two minutes, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the environment value processing unit 152 does not store environment values ​​acquired before the ID cooling fan 108 has been rotating for two minutes.

[0058] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the printing operation (image forming operation) of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 starts when the print control unit 151 receives a print job (image formation job) as a print instruction from the host computer.

[0059] The print control unit 151 finishes developing the print data (image formation data) included in the received print job and starts the operation of the print unit 140. Then, the print control unit 151 starts the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109, provisionally determines the fixing temperature, and starts heating the heater in the fixing unit 103 (S10). For example, the print control unit 151 provisionally determines a predetermined reference fixing temperature as the fixing temperature.

[0060] The print control unit 151 can detect whether the ID cooling fan 108 is rotating or not rotating due to an error within 0.5 to 1 second after the ID cooling fan 108 starts rotating. Therefore, after confirming that the ID cooling fan 108 is rotating, the environmental value processing unit 152 reads the voltage value output from the environmental sensor 104 and stores it in the environmental value temporary storage unit 143 (S11). Here, the environmental value processing unit 152 stores the voltage value corresponding to the environmental temperature and the voltage value corresponding to the environmental humidity from the environmental sensor 104 in the environmental value temporary storage unit 143.

[0061] The timer 153 determines whether a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the last time the voltage value output from the environmental sensor 104 was saved in the environmental value saving unit 144 (S12). Here, experimental results show that the printer 100 can be determined to have cooled down if two hours have passed since printing ended, so the first threshold time is set to two hours. If the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in S12), the process proceeds to step S14, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0062] In step S13, because printer 100 has not yet cooled down, environmental value processing unit 152 discards the voltage value corresponding to the environmental temperature among the voltage values ​​stored in environmental value temporary storage unit 143, reads out the voltage value stored in environmental value saving unit 144, and stores the read-out voltage value in environmental value temporary storage unit 143. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0063] In step S14, the print control unit 151 calculates the environmental temperature and humidity using the voltage values ​​stored in the environmental value temporary storage unit 143, and determines the fixing temperature, development bias, and transfer bias using the calculated environmental temperature and humidity. Here, the print control unit 151 switches the fixing temperature tentatively determined in step S10 to the fixing temperature determined in step S14.

[0064] Then, when the temperature of the heater in the fixing unit 103 exceeds "(fixing temperature) -10°C", the print control unit 151 starts the rotation of the ID motor 132, causes the paper feed unit 101 to start feeding paper, and causes the image forming unit 102, transfer roller 131, and fixing unit 103 to start the process of forming an image on the medium using the electrophotographic process of exposure, development, transfer, and fixing (S15).

[0065] Next, the print control unit 151 determines whether printing of all pages specified in the print job has been completed (S16). If printing of all pages has been completed (Yes in S16), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0066] In step S17, the print control unit 151 turns off the heater in the fixing unit 103, stops the motors such as the ID motor 132, and also stops the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109.

[0067] The timer 153 then determines whether the rotation time of the ID cooling fan 108 has exceeded a second threshold time, which is a predetermined time, since the ID cooling fan 108 started to rotate in step S10 (S18). Here, as described above, the temperature inside the printer 100 stabilizes by rotating the ID cooling fan 108 for more than two minutes, so the second threshold time is set to two minutes. If the rotation time has exceeded the predetermined time (Yes in S18), the process proceeds to step S21. If the rotation time is less than the predetermined time (No in S18), the process proceeds to step S19. Note that although the rotation time of the ID cooling fan 108 is used here, the rotation time of the fixing fan 109 may also be used.

[0068] In step S19, the timer 153 determines whether a third threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the last time the voltage value output from the environmental sensor 104 was stored in the environmental value storage unit 144. Here, the predetermined time is set to one hour because experimental results indicate that, although the printer 100 has not yet sufficiently cooled down within one hour after printing has finished, the temperature inside the printer 100 can still be cooled to some extent. That is, if there is at least one hour of cooling time remaining after a short period of printing within the two hours used to determine the elapsed time since the last printing in step S12, the inside of the printer 100 can be sufficiently cooled. On the other hand, if the cooling time falls below one hour within the two hours, the natural heat dissipation of the printer 100 cannot sufficiently cool the inside of the printer 100. Therefore, if the third threshold time has not elapsed (No in S19), the process ends. If the third threshold time has elapsed (Yes in S19), the process proceeds to step S20.

[0069] In step S20, the print control unit 151 rotates the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 so that the rotation time from when the fan rotation started in step S10 is at least two minutes. Then, the process proceeds to step S21. Here, the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 are rotated, but only one of them may be rotated.

[0070] In step S21, the environment value processing unit 152 reads the voltage value that is the output of the environment sensor 104, and stores it in the environment value temporary storage unit 143. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0071] In step S22, the environmental value processing unit 152 stores in the environmental value saving unit 144 the voltage value corresponding to the environmental temperature, among the voltage values ​​stored in the environmental value temporary storage unit 143. Then, the timer 153 resets the value of the time that has elapsed since the previous environment value was saved, and starts counting the time that has elapsed since the environment value was saved in step S22 again (S23). As a result, the timer 153 restarts counting the elapsed time from the beginning.

[0072] As described above, in conventional technology, heat generated inside the device can cause large errors in the detection of environmental temperature and humidity. However, by applying this embodiment, environmental values ​​corresponding to the environmental temperature during the previous printing are stored and used, thereby reducing errors in the detected environmental temperature and humidity. This allows appropriate corrections to be made to printing parameters based on the environmental temperature and humidity during printing. As the errors in environmental temperature and humidity are reduced, the temperature and humidity during printing can be accurately corrected, resulting in good image formation results without deviations in density or deterioration in fixability.

[0073] Embodiment 2 As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 200 according to the second embodiment, like the printer 100 according to the first embodiment, comprises a paper feed unit 101, an image forming unit 102 as a printing unit, and a fixing unit 103.

[0074] 2 and 3, the fan mounting position of the printer 200 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment. However, the printer 200 according to the second embodiment includes both the fixing fan 109 as an exhaust fan and the ID cooling fan 108 as an intake fan. Furthermore, the control system circuitry provided in printer 200 according to embodiment 2 is similar to the control system circuitry provided in printer 100 according to embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. However, printer 200 according to embodiment 2 differs from printer 100 according to embodiment 1 in the functions realized by the control system circuitry shown in Fig. 4. The functions of printer 200 according to embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 200 according to the second embodiment includes a printing unit 140 as an image forming unit, a cooling unit 141, an environmental value detection unit 142, an environmental value temporary storage unit 143, an environmental value saving unit 144, and a control unit 250. The printing unit 140, cooling unit 141, environmental value detection unit 142, environmental value temporary storage unit 143, and environmental value storage unit 144 of the printer 200 according to the second embodiment are the same as the printing unit 140, cooling unit 141, environmental value detection unit 142, environmental value temporary storage unit 143, and environmental value storage unit 144 of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment. However, the cooling unit 141 in the second embodiment includes both the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 shown in FIG. 2 or 3.

[0076] The control unit 250 controls the overall processing in the printer 200 . The control unit 250 includes a print control unit 251 as an image formation control unit, an environmental value processing unit 252, and a timer unit 153. The timing unit 153 of the control unit 250 in the second embodiment is the same as the timing unit 153 of the control unit 150 in the first embodiment.

[0077] In the second embodiment, the control unit 250 is also realized by the processor 121 executing a program stored in the flash ROM 122 that functions as a memory. Such a program may be provided via a network or may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium. That is, such a program may be provided as a program product, for example.

[0078] Furthermore, part or all of the control unit 250 can be configured with a processing circuit such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a processor operated by a program, a parallel processor operated by a program, an ASIC, or an FPGA. As described above, the control unit 250 can be realized by a processing circuit network.

[0079] As in the first embodiment, the print control unit 251 controls the print unit 140 to form an image on a medium. For example, when the printing unit 140 starts the current printing, the printing control unit 251 selects either the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the cooling unit 141 starts cooling, or the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit 144. Then, the printing control unit 251 uses the selected environmental value to calculate parameters for the current printing by the printing unit 140, and causes the printing unit 140 to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters.

[0080] Specifically, if a predetermined first threshold time has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit 144, the print control unit 251 selects the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the cooling unit 141 started cooling, and if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit 144, the print control unit 251 selects the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit 144.

[0081] After printing is completed, the print control unit 251 stops the rotation of the fixing fan 109 but continues the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108. After stopping the rotation of the fixing fan 109, the print control unit 251 waits a predetermined fourth threshold time before causing the environment value detection unit 142 to measure the environment value, and then stops the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108.

[0082] The environmental value processing unit 252 processes the environmental values ​​detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 . For example, the environment value processing unit 252 temporarily stores the environment values ​​detected by the environment value detection unit 142 in the environment value temporary storage unit 143. Furthermore, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the environment value processing unit 252 stores the necessary environment values ​​from among the environment values ​​temporarily stored in the environment value temporary storage unit 143 in the environment value saving unit 144.

[0083] Specifically, when the operating time, which is the time from when the fixing fan 109 is stopped to when the ID cooling fan 108 rotates after the printing unit 140 has finished printing, exceeds a fourth threshold time, which is a predetermined time, the environmental value processing unit 252 stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the operating time has exceeded the fourth threshold time in the environmental value storage unit 144 as a new environmental value.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a table showing the change in temperature detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 when the printer 200 is installed 10 cm away from the wall, and after printing is completed, the ID cooling fan 108 continues to rotate but the fixing fan 109 stops rotating, and when the fixing fan 109 continues to rotate.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 8, the temperature immediately after powering on was 24°C, and after printing 250 sheets, the temperature rose to 33°C. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the temperature rose to about 35°C immediately after printing, but in the second embodiment, the ID cooling fan 108 continues to rotate even after printing is completed, so the temperature is lower than in the first embodiment.

[0086] When the fixing fan 109 was allowed to continue rotating after that, the temperature dropped by only 2°C to 31°C after one minute. On the other hand, when the rotation of the fixing fan 109 is stopped, the temperature drops by 6° C. to 27° C. after one minute, and the environmental temperature can be read with a smaller error. In the second embodiment, the printer 200 is located only 10 cm away from the wall, so heat tends to build up, and it is thought that the temperature is more difficult to drop than in the first embodiment.

[0087] As described above, an accurate temperature cannot be obtained unless the fixing fan 109 is stopped and the ID cooling fan 108 is rotated for at least one minute after printing is completed. Therefore, it is desirable to set the fourth threshold time to one minute. Therefore, after printing is completed, the fixing fan 109 is stopped while the ID cooling fan 108 continues to rotate, and after one minute has passed, the environment value processing unit 252 stores the temperature detected by the environment value detection unit 142 in the environment value storage unit 144.

[0088] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the printing operation (image forming operation) in the printer 200 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, steps that perform the same processing as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 also starts when the print control unit 251 receives a print job (image formation job) as a print instruction from the host computer.

[0089] The processing from step S10 to step S16 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing from step S10 to step S16 in the flowchart shown in FIG. However, in FIG. 9, after the process of step S16, the process proceeds to step S27.

[0090] In step S27, the print control unit 251 turns off the heater in the fixing unit 103, stops motors such as the ID motor 132, and also stops the rotation of the fixing fan 109. In the second embodiment, the print control unit 251 does not stop the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108 at this timing, but allows it to continue rotating.

[0091] Then, the timer unit 153 determines whether the rotation time of the ID cooling fan 108 has exceeded a predetermined fourth threshold time since the rotation of the fixing fan 109 was stopped in step S27 (S28). Here, as described above, the temperature inside the printer 200 stabilizes by rotating the ID cooling fan 108 for more than one minute, so the fourth threshold time is set to one minute. If the rotation time has exceeded the predetermined time (Yes in S28), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0092] In step S29, the environment value processing unit 252 reads the voltage value that is the output of the environment sensor 104, and stores it in the environment value temporary storage unit 143. Then, the print control unit 251 stops the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108 (S30).

[0093] Next, the environmental value processing unit 252 stores, in the environmental value saving unit 144, the voltage value corresponding to the environmental temperature, among the voltage values ​​stored in the environmental value temporary storage unit 143 (S31). Then, the timer 153 resets the value of the time that has elapsed since the previous environment value was saved, and starts counting the time that has elapsed since the environment value was saved in step S30 again (S32). As a result, the timer 153 restarts counting the elapsed time from the beginning.

[0094] As described above, according to the second embodiment, errors in the environmental temperature and humidity can be reduced even when the printer 200 is placed in an environment where heat is likely to build up, such as near a wall. Therefore, by correctly correcting the temperature and humidity during printing, it is possible to obtain good image formation results without deviations in density and deterioration of fixability.

[0095] Embodiment 3 As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 300 according to the third embodiment, like the printer 100 according to the first embodiment, comprises a paper feed unit 101, an image forming unit 102 as a printing unit, and a fixing unit 103.

[0096] Furthermore, the fan installation position of the printer 300 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the printer 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. However, the printer 300 according to the third embodiment includes both the fixing fan 109 as an exhaust fan and the ID cooling fan 108 as an intake fan. Furthermore, the control system circuit provided in printer 300 according to embodiment 3 is similar to the control system circuit provided in printer 100 according to embodiment 1, as shown in FIG. However, printer 300 according to embodiment 3 differs from printer 100 according to embodiment 1 in the functions realized by the control system circuitry shown in Fig. 4. The functions of printer 300 according to embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 300 according to the third embodiment includes a printing unit 140 as an image forming unit, a cooling unit 141, an environmental value detection unit 142, an environmental value temporary storage unit 143, an environmental value saving unit 144, and a control unit 350. The printing unit 140, cooling unit 141, environmental value detection unit 142, environmental value temporary storage unit 143, and environmental value storage unit 144 of the printer 300 of embodiment 3 are similar to the printing unit 140, cooling unit 141, environmental value detection unit 142, environmental value temporary storage unit 143, and environmental value storage unit 144 of the printer 100 of embodiment 1. However, the cooling unit 141 in the third embodiment includes both the ID cooling fan 108 and the fixing fan 109 shown in FIG. 2 or 3.

[0098] The control unit 350 controls the overall processing in the printer 300 . The control unit 350 includes a print control unit 351 as an image formation control unit, an environmental value processing unit 252, and a timer unit 153. The timing unit 153 of the control unit 350 in the third embodiment is the same as the timing unit 153 of the control unit 150 in the first embodiment.

[0099] In the third embodiment, the control unit 350 is also realized by the processor 121 executing a program stored in the flash ROM 122, which functions as a memory. Such a program may be provided via a network or may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium. That is, such a program may be provided as a program product, for example.

[0100] Furthermore, part or all of the control unit 350 can be configured with a processing circuit such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a processor operated by a program, a parallel processor operated by a program, an ASIC, or an FPGA. As described above, the control unit 350 can be realized by a processing circuit network.

[0101] As in the first embodiment, the print control unit 351 controls the print unit 140 to form an image on a medium. For example, when the printing unit 140 starts the current printing, the printing control unit 351 selects either the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the cooling unit 141 starts cooling, or the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit 144. Then, the printing control unit 351 uses the selected environmental value to calculate parameters for the current printing by the printing unit 140, and causes the printing unit 140 to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters.

[0102] Specifically, if a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit 144, the print control unit 351 selects the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the cooling unit 141 started cooling, and if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit 144, the print control unit 351 selects the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit 144.

[0103] Furthermore, when printing is completed, if the operating time, which is the time that the cooling unit 141 has been operating since the start of printing, has exceeded a second threshold time, the printing control unit 351 causes the environmental value detection unit 142 to measure the environmental value and then stops the operation of the cooling unit 141. Furthermore, when printing is completed, if the operating time, which is the time that the cooling unit 141 has been operating since the start of printing, has not elapsed a second threshold time, the print control unit 351 stops the rotation of the fixing fan 109 but continues the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108. Then, after stopping the rotation of the fixing fan 109, the print control unit 351 has the environmental value detection unit 142 measure the environmental value after a predetermined fourth threshold time has elapsed, and then stops the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108.

[0104] The environmental value processing unit 352 processes the environmental values ​​detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 . For example, the environment value processing unit 352 temporarily stores the environment values ​​detected by the environment value detection unit 142 in the environment value temporary storage unit 143. Furthermore, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the environment value processing unit 352 stores the necessary environment values ​​from among the environment values ​​temporarily stored in the environment value temporary storage unit 143 in the environment value saving unit 144.

[0105] Specifically, if the operating time, which is the time during which the cooling unit 141 has been operating after the printing unit 140 has started the current printing, exceeds a second threshold time, which is a predetermined time, the environmental value processing unit 352 stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 after the operating time has exceeded the second threshold time in the environmental value storage unit 144 as a new environmental value. Note that if a predetermined third threshold time has elapsed since the environmental values ​​were saved in the environmental value saving unit 144 but the first threshold time has not yet elapsed, the print control unit 351 operates the ID cooling fan 108 until the fourth threshold time has elapsed, even if the current printing ends before the operating time of the cooling unit 141 has elapsed the second threshold time. This allows the environmental values ​​saved in the environmental value saving unit 144 to be updated with the environmental values ​​detected after the printing unit 140 has been sufficiently cooled. Note that the third threshold time is shorter than the first threshold time. Specifically, if the operating time, which is the time that the cooling unit 141 has been operating after the printing unit 140 has started the current printing, has not elapsed a second threshold time, which is a predetermined time, the environmental value processing unit 352 stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit 142 as a new environmental value in the environmental value storage unit 144 after the operating time of the ID cooling fan 108 has elapsed a fourth threshold time, which is a predetermined time, since the rotation of the fixing fan 109 was stopped after the printing unit 140 had finished printing.

[0106] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the printing operation (image forming operation) in the printer 300 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 10, steps that perform the same processing as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 also starts when the print control unit 351 receives a print job (image formation job) as a print instruction from the host computer.

[0107] The processing from step S10 to step S16 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the processing from step S10 to step S16 in the flowchart shown in FIG. However, in FIG. 10, after the process of step S16, the process proceeds to step S37.

[0108] In step S37, the print control unit 351 turns off the heater in the fixing unit 103, stops motors such as the ID motor 132, and also stops the rotation of the fixing fan 109. In the third embodiment, the print control unit 351 does not stop the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108 at this timing, but allows it to continue rotating.

[0109] Then, the timer unit 153 determines whether the rotation time of the ID cooling fan 108 has exceeded a second threshold time, which is a predetermined time, since the ID cooling fan 108 started to rotate in step S10 (S38). Here, the second threshold time is set to two minutes. If the rotation time has exceeded the predetermined time (Yes in S38), the process proceeds to step S41. If the rotation time is less than the predetermined time (No in S38), the process proceeds to step S39. Note that although the rotation time of the ID cooling fan 108 is used here, the rotation time of the fixing fan 109 may also be used.

[0110] In step S39, timer 153 determines whether a third threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the last time the voltage value output from environmental sensor 104 was stored in environmental value storage 144. Here, the third threshold time is set to one hour. If the third threshold time has not elapsed (No in S39), the process ends; if the third threshold time has elapsed (Yes in S39), the process proceeds to step S40.

[0111] In step S40, timer unit 153 determines whether the rotation time of ID cooling fan 108 has exceeded a fourth threshold time, which is a predetermined time, since rotation of fixing fan 109 was stopped in step S37. Here, the fourth threshold time is set to one minute. If the rotation time has exceeded the predetermined time (Yes in S40), the process proceeds to step S41.

[0112] In step S 41 , the environment value processing unit 352 reads the voltage value that is the output of the environment sensor 104 and stores it in the environment value temporary storage unit 143 . Then, the print control unit 351 stops the rotation of the ID cooling fan 108 (S42).

[0113] Next, the environment value processing unit 352 stores, in the environment value saving unit 144, the voltage value corresponding to the environment temperature, among the voltage values ​​stored in the environment value temporary storage unit 143 (S43). Then, the timer 153 resets the value of the time that has elapsed since the previous environment value was saved, and starts counting the time that has elapsed since the environment value was saved in step S43 again (S44). As a result, the timer 153 restarts counting the elapsed time from the beginning.

[0114] As described above, even when printer 300 is placed in an environment prone to heat buildup, such as near a wall, errors in the environmental temperature and humidity can be reduced according to the third embodiment. Therefore, by correctly correcting the temperature and humidity during printing, good image formation results can be obtained without deviations in density and deterioration of fixability.

[0115] In the first to third embodiments described above, the environmental value processing units 152, 252, and 352 cause the environmental value storage unit 144 to store a voltage value corresponding to the environmental temperature, or voltage values ​​corresponding to the environmental temperature and environmental humidity, but the first to third embodiments are not limited to this example. For example, the environmental value processing units 152, 252, and 352 may cause the environmental value storage unit 144 to store the environmental temperature, or the environmental temperature and environmental humidity, calculated by the print control units 151, 251, and 351.

[0116] In the first to third embodiments, electrophotographic printers 100, 200, and 300 have been described as examples, but the first to third embodiments are not limited to such examples. For example, in a system that emits hot air to dry ink, such as an inkjet printer, accurate detection of the environmental temperature and humidity becomes difficult due to the rise in internal temperature. Therefore, even in an inkjet printer, errors in the environmental temperature and humidity can be reduced by performing control similar to that of the present embodiment. This improves the accuracy of control of at least one of the ink discharge amount and dryness. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 100,200,300 Printer, 140 Printing unit, 141 Cooling unit, 142 Environmental value detection unit, 143 Environmental value temporary storage unit, 144 Environmental value saving unit, 150,250,350 Control unit, 151,251,351 Printing control unit, 152,252,352 Environmental value processing unit, 153 Time keeping unit.

Claims

1. A printing unit that prints on the medium; A cooling unit that cools the printing unit; an environmental value detection unit that detects an environmental value that is a value corresponding to a physical quantity of the environment; an environmental value storage unit that stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit before the current printing is started; a print control unit which, when starting the current printing, selects the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit after starting the cooling if a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, and selects the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, calculates parameters for performing the current printing in the printing unit using the selected environmental value, and causes the printing unit to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters; an environmental value processing unit that, when an operating time during which the cooling unit has been in operation after the printing unit has started the current printing has exceeded a second threshold time that is a predetermined time, causes the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit after the operating time has exceeded the second threshold time to be stored in the environmental value storage unit as a new environmental value, When the new environmental value is stored, the print control unit determines whether or not the first threshold time has elapsed since the new environmental value was stored in the next printing. A printing device comprising:

2. When a third threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, but the first threshold time has not elapsed, the print control unit operates the cooling unit until the second threshold time has elapsed, even if the current printing ends before the operation time elapses the second threshold time.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. the cooling unit includes an exhaust fan that rotates to exhaust air from the printing device and an intake fan that rotates to take in air into the printing device; when a third threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, but the first threshold time has not elapsed, if the current printing is completed before the operation time elapses the second threshold time, the print control unit stops rotation of the exhaust fan and continues rotation of the intake fan until a fourth threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed; The environmental value processing unit stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit as a new environmental value in the environmental value storage unit after an operation time, which is a time during which the intake fan rotates after the exhaust fan stops rotating, has elapsed the fourth threshold time.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

4. A printing unit that prints on the medium; A cooling unit that cools the printing unit; an environmental value detection unit that detects an environmental value that is a value corresponding to a physical quantity of the environment; an environmental value storage unit that stores the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit before the current printing is started; a print control unit which, when starting the current printing, selects the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit after starting the cooling if a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, and selects the environmental value stored in the environmental value storage unit if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was stored in the environmental value storage unit, calculates parameters for performing the current printing in the printing unit using the selected environmental value, and causes the printing unit to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters, the cooling unit includes an exhaust fan that rotates to exhaust air from the printing device and an intake fan that rotates to take in air into the printing device; when the current printing is completed, the print control unit stops the rotation of the exhaust fan while continuing the rotation of the intake fan; an environmental value processing unit that causes the environmental value detected by the environmental value detection unit to be stored in the environmental value storage unit as a new environmental value after a fourth threshold time, which is a predetermined operating time that is a time that the intake fan has been rotating since the exhaust fan stopped rotating, has elapsed; When the new environmental value is stored, the print control unit determines whether or not the first threshold time has elapsed since the new environmental value was stored in the next printing. A printing device comprising:

5. The environmental value detection unit is disposed in a passage through which the intake fan takes in air from an intake port into the interior of the printing device.

5. The printing device according to claim 3 or 4,

6. The environmental value is a voltage value corresponding to an environmental temperature, which is the temperature of the environment around the printing unit.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The environmental value is a voltage value corresponding to an environmental temperature, which is a temperature of the environment around the printing unit, and a voltage value corresponding to an environmental humidity, which is a humidity of the environment around the printing unit.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein:

8. The parameter is at least one of a fixing temperature, a developing bias, and a transfer bias.

8. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

9. A printing method performed by a printing device having a printing unit that prints on a medium, comprising: Save the environmental values, which are values ​​corresponding to the physical quantities of the surrounding environment detected before the current printing started; When starting the current printing, if a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was saved, the environmental value detected after the cooling of the printing unit was started is selected, and if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was saved, the saved environmental value is selected; Using the selected environmental values, calculate parameters for performing the current printing in the printing unit; causing the printing unit to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters; When an operating time during which the cooling unit operates to perform the cooling after the printing unit starts the current printing has exceeded a second threshold time, which is a predetermined time, the environmental value detected after the operating time has exceeded the second threshold time is stored as a new environmental value; When the new environmental value is stored, in the next printing, it is determined whether or not the first threshold time has elapsed since the new environmental value was stored. A printing method comprising:

10. A printing method performed by a printing device having a printing unit that prints on a medium, comprising: Save the environmental values, which are values ​​corresponding to the physical quantities of the surrounding environment detected before the current printing started; When starting the current printing, if a first threshold time, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the environmental value was saved, the environmental value detected after the cooling of the printing unit was started is selected, and if the first threshold time has not elapsed since the environmental value was saved, the saved environmental value is selected; Using the selected environmental values, calculate parameters for performing the current printing in the printing unit; causing the printing unit to perform the current printing using the calculated parameters; When the current printing is completed, stopping the rotation of an exhaust fan that rotates to exhaust air from the printing device, while continuing the rotation of an intake fan that rotates to take in air into the printing device; storing the environmental value detected after a fourth threshold time, which is a predetermined operating time that is a time that the intake fan rotates after the exhaust fan stops rotating, as a new environmental value; When the new environmental value is stored, in the next printing, it is determined whether or not the first threshold time has elapsed since the new environmental value was stored. A printing method comprising:

Images