Printing device and printing control program

Abstract

To execute printing service optimized flexibly according to contents of a concluded contract.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises an inkjet head 3 that discharges ink introduced from an ink cartridge 32 storing ink, which further comprises a carriage 2 and an inkjet head 3 which perform printing on a recording paper P with ink, and a CPU 51. The CPU 51 automatically sets a driving signal pattern for driving the inkjet head 3, in accordance with contents of a contract concluded for the printer 1 or for a user to use the printer 1, in steps of S130, S160, S170 and S190.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including a discharge head that discharges ink and a printing control program for the printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a printer apparatus that acquires control information of a discharge waveform stored in a memory chip of an ink cartridge and controls the discharge of ink.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In some cases, a user who uses a printing apparatus pays a charging fee according to the printing content to a service provider who owns the printing apparatus, and a predetermined contract is concluded. In recent years, such contracts have involved a large amount of printing, required low costs, or have been diversifying. Therefore, there has been a need to perform ink discharge control suitable for various contract contents. The technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that an optimized printing service with flexibility according to various contracts cannot be executed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing control program capable of executing an optimized printing service with flexibility according to the concluded contract content.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing apparatus including a discharge head that discharges ink introduced from a container containing ink, a printing unit that performs printing on a printing medium with the ink, and a control unit, wherein the control unit automatically sets a drive signal pattern for driving the discharge head in accordance with contract information concluded with respect to the printing apparatus or with respect to the use by the user of the printing apparatus, and executes a signal pattern setting process.

[0007] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, ink is introduced from a container mounted on a mounting portion to a discharge head of a printing unit, the ink is discharged from the discharge head, and printing is performed on a printing medium. The discharge head that discharges ink is driven by a drive signal pattern. A predetermined contract is concluded with respect to the printing apparatus of the present invention or with respect to the use by the user of the printing apparatus. The drive signal pattern is automatically set in accordance with the contract information of the above contract in a signal pattern setting process executed by the control unit. According to the present invention, since the discharge head is driven with a drive signal pattern corresponding to the concluded contract content, it is possible to provide an optimized printing service with flexibility corresponding to the contract.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to execute an optimized printing service with flexibility in accordance with the concluded contract content.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an embodiment of a printer that can be used in any of the retail business where the user purchases the printing device by himself / herself, installs the ink cartridge, and uses it, and the subscription business where the user pays a charging fee to the service provider who owns the printing device.

[0011] <Overall Configuration of the Printer> The printer 1 used by the above user will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that this printer 1 is owned by, for example, the business operator who provides the above printing service. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of this embodiment includes a carriage 2, an inkjet head 3, a platen 4, conveyance rollers 5 and 6, and the like. Note that the printer 1 is an example of a printing device, the carriage 2 and the inkjet head 3 are examples of a printing unit, and the inkjet head 3 is an example of a discharge head.

[0012] The carriage 2 is connected to a carriage motor 56 (see FIG. 2 described later) via a belt (not shown), and moves in the scanning direction along the guide rails 11 and 12 when the carriage motor 56 is driven.

[0013] The inkjet head 3 is mounted on the carriage 2. The inkjet head 3 has a flow path unit 13 and an actuator 14.

[0014] The flow path unit 13 is formed with an ink flow path including a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on a nozzle surface 13a which is the lower surface thereof. The plurality of nozzles 10 are arranged in a conveyance direction which is the vertical direction shown in the figure and orthogonal to the scanning direction which is the horizontal direction shown in the figure, thereby forming a nozzle row 9. On the nozzle surface 13a, four nozzle rows 9 are arranged in the scanning direction. From the plurality of nozzles 10, as an example, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected in order from the right side to the left side as shown in the figure.

[0015] The actuator 14 includes, for example, a plurality of electrodes, and has a function of individually applying ejection energy to the ink in each nozzle 10 by applying a drive pulse signal to each electrode.

[0016] The inkjet head 3 is connected to four tubes 31. The four tubes 31 are respectively connected to four ink cartridges 32 arranged in the scanning direction in the printer 1. The black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks stored in the four ink cartridges 32 are supplied to the inkjet head 3 via the tubes 31. The four ink cartridges 32 are each detachably attached to a cartridge holder 35. The ink cartridge 32 is an example of a container, and the cartridge holder 35 is an example of a mounting portion.

[0017] The platen 4 is located below the inkjet head 3 and faces the nozzle surface 13a during printing. The platen 4 extends over the entire width of the recording paper P in the scanning direction and supports the recording paper P from below. The recording paper P is an example of a medium to be printed. The conveyance rollers 5 and 6 are connected to a conveyance motor 57 (see FIG. 2 described later) via gears and the like not shown, and rotate by the drive of the conveyance motor 57 to convey the recording paper P in the conveyance direction.

[0018] With the above configuration, each time the printer 1 conveys the recording paper P by a predetermined distance by the conveyance rollers 5 and 6, while moving the carriage 2 in the scanning direction, the printer 1 ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 3 to perform printing on the recording paper P.

[0019] <Electrical Configuration of the Printer> Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The operation of the printer 1 is controlled by the control device 50.

[0020] The control device 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an EEPROM 54, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) 55 which is an integrated circuit for specific use, a cartridge communication unit 85, an external communication I / F 87, etc. The CPU 51 of the control device 50 is an example of a control unit, and the EEPROM 54 and the RAM 53 are examples of a first storage unit. By including these configurations, the control device 50 controls the carriage motor 56, the actuator 14, the conveyance motor 57, etc.

[0021] The ROM 52 stores a printing control program of the printer 1 and the like. The RAM 53 stores temporary processing data and the like. The EEPROM 54 stores data and the like that should be retained even when the power is turned off.

[0022] The cartridge communication unit 85 communicates with the ink cartridge 32 mounted on the cartridge holder 35 by an appropriate method. That is, as described above, the printer 1 of the present embodiment is used for both the retail business and the subscription business. Correspondingly, each ink cartridge 32 is provided with a cartridge memory 65, and the cartridge memory 65 stores cartridge type information indicating whether the ink cartridge 32 is for the retail business or for the subscription business. The cartridge type information also includes the attributes and price of the ink in the ink cartridge 32. The cartridge communication unit 85 can acquire the cartridge type information from the cartridge memory 65 of each ink cartridge 32 by the above communication. Note that the cartridge memory 65 is an example of the second storage unit, and the cartridge type information is an example of the storage body type information.

[0023] The external communication I / F 87 is communicably connected to the external device 150 by an appropriate communication form. Examples of the external device 150 include a server arranged by a business operator such as the above-described printing service provider, the manufacturer of the printer 1, the sales company of the printer 1, or the user's mobile terminal. Examples of the communication form include appropriate wireless communication including wireless LAN and network communication, or wired communication via a USB cable or the like. Also, the type of wireless communication is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient to perform it in an appropriate manner such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, etc.

[0024] Note that in FIG. 2, only one CPU 51 is illustrated, but the control device 50 may include a plurality of CPUs 51, and these plurality of CPUs 51 may perform processing in a shared manner. Also, in FIG. 2, only one ASIC 55 is illustrated, but the control device 50 may include a plurality of ASICs 55, and these plurality of ASICs 55 may perform processing in a shared manner.

[0025] <Features of the Embodiment> In this embodiment, as the greatest feature, when the mounted ink cartridge 32 is for a subscription business, a drive pulse signal (described later) for driving the actuator 14 is determined according to the contract content. The details will be described below step by step.

[0026] <Drive Pulse Signal> In its normal state, the actuator 14 is curved such that the pressure chamber side where the ink is stored bulges due to the aforementioned electrode being set to a positive predetermined potential. When the electrode is set to the ground potential at an appropriate timing, the volume of the pressure chamber expands to generate a pressure wave. Then, when the pressure wave becomes a positive pressure, the electrode is set to the positive predetermined potential again, and pressure is applied to the ink in the pressure chamber. In this embodiment, for example, by such a so-called push-pull method, a large ink ejection speed can be obtained with a relatively small drive voltage. In the printer 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of types of patterns of the drive pulse signal applied to the electrode at this time are prepared in advance. Each drive pulse signal is composed of pulses having a high level and a low level, and the high-level period and the low-level period are different from each other (see also FIG. 5 described later). Hereinafter, the pattern of the drive pulse signal will be abbreviated as the "drive signal pattern" as appropriate. In this embodiment, by using a drive pulse signal that matches the contract content while taking into account the attributes and prices of the ink, ejection control suitable for the contract is performed. As the correspondence to the attributes of the ink, for example, there is the viscosity of the ink. Since the ink droplets actually ejected vary depending on the level of thickening of the ink, different drive signal patterns can be used according to whether the thickening viscosity of the ink used is high or low.

[0027] <Relationship between Contract Content and Drive Pulse Signal> In recent years, the above-mentioned subscription contracts have been accompanied by a large amount of printing, required to be low-cost, or have been diversifying. Typical examples include a period billing method in which a fixed amount is paid at regular intervals, for example, monthly, a per-copy billing method in which a fixed amount is paid per printed copy, etc. In each method, there may be detailed restrictive clauses, permitted matters, etc. incorporated. Therefore, there has been a growing need to perform ink ejection control suitable for these diverse contract contents.

[0028] Generally, the performance of a printer and the attributes of ink are associated with each other. For example, in a high-performance printer model, generally, each part is configured with the main focus on improving durability, achieving high image quality, etc., and on the premise of using relatively expensive ink, the drive signal pattern for ejecting the ink is set in the printer. For example, if a user wishes to enter into a period billing method contract using such a high-performance printer, as it is, it would be possible to print almost without limit within a predetermined period using expensive ink, resulting in a significant disadvantage of a large increase in the service provider's losses. In this embodiment, in such a case, the drive signal pattern in the printer is changed so that relatively inexpensive ink can be used instead of the above-mentioned expensive ink. Thereby, it becomes possible to provide a printing service under a period billing method contract while avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantage of the service provider.

[0029] Also, for example, even in the case of the above-mentioned per-copy billing method contract, in order for the service provider not to suffer losses, it is necessary to change the contract price depending on whether the total number of printed copies within the contract period is extremely large or relatively small. In that case, it is necessary to vary the ink ejection mode or use different ink itself in those two cases. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, by performing ejection control by changing to separate drive signal patterns, it becomes possible to provide a printing service under a per-copy billing method contract while avoiding the service provider's losses.

[0030] Also, in the case of a contract with a per-sheet charging method, when printing is performed on one sheet and the dot count becomes extremely large, such as in precision drawing images like high-quality photos or graphs, if the same ejection control as in normal printing consisting only of text is performed, the ink consumption will be large and the service provider will suffer significant disadvantages. In this embodiment, when printing with an extremely large dot count as described above is performed on a sheet, the drive signal pattern is switched to a low-cost one to avoid the disadvantages of the service provider. Furthermore, after the user actually starts printing, there may be cases where printing is performed exceeding the number of printed sheets assumed by the service provider at the beginning of the contract. In such cases, if left as it is, the service provider will suffer disadvantages, so it is necessary to change the ink ejection mode to the low-cost side. In this embodiment, in such cases, at a certain timing, the drive signal pattern is switched to a low-cost one to avoid the disadvantages of the service provider while continuing to provide the printing service.

[0031] In addition to the above, there are various types of subscription contracts. In any case, if the drive signal pattern prepared in advance in the printer is used as it is with respect to the content of the subscription contract concluded for the printer, it may result in disadvantages for the service provider. If the contract fee is uniformly set high to avoid this, there may be an inconvenience where the user has to bear an unduly high price for service content that could originally be received at a low price. This embodiment and the modified examples described later set the drive signal pattern in the printer 1 according to the content of the concluded subscription contract in order to prevent such disadvantages for both the service provider and the user. The details of the method will be described below.

[0032] <Drive signal pattern storage unit> In the printer 1 of this embodiment, a default pattern storage unit 54A is provided in the EEPROM 54. In this default pattern storage unit 54A, a predetermined default drive signal pattern (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "default pattern") that is initially associated with the printer 1 by the manufacturer of the printer 1 is stored in a non-rewritable manner. Note that the number of stored default patterns is not limited to one, and there may be a plurality of them. On the other hand, a sub-pattern storage unit 53A is provided in the RAM 53. In this sub-pattern storage unit 53A, similarly to the above, another drive signal pattern (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "sub-pattern") that is different from the above-mentioned default drive signal pattern and is appropriately prepared by the manufacturer of the printer 1 is stored in a rewritable manner. As will be described later, in this sub-pattern storage unit 53A, according to the content of the contract concluded by the user who uses the printer 1, a drive signal pattern corresponding to the content of the contract is written and overwritten in place of the above sub-pattern.

[0033] To realize the above method, the control procedure executed by the CPU 51 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This control procedure is executed by a print control program included in a plurality of programs stored in the ROM 52, and by this execution, the following print control method according to this embodiment is realized.

[0034] First, at S10, it is determined whether a predetermined instruction (hereinafter, appropriately abbreviated as "contract instruction") indicating that a new contract has been concluded is given to the printer 1. The contract at this time may be a contract concluded with the printer 1, or may be a contract concluded for the use by the user of the printer 1, that is, the user. This instruction is obtained, for example, by receiving contract information from the external device 150 through the wireless communication or wired communication described above. Alternatively, the contract information may be obtained by inputting the contract information by operating an appropriate operation unit provided in the printer 1. Particularly in this case, even in a so-called offline state where the printer 1 is not connected to the external device 150 via the external communication I / F 87, the contract information may be input by operating the operation unit. Note that the operator who operates the operation unit is not limited to the user, and may be an operator of the business operator providing the above-described printing service, a service technician of the printer 1 manufacturer / sales company, etc. (hereinafter, the same applies). The contract information obtained here is information representing the content of the concluded contract, and includes, for example, information indicating what payment method such as the above-described sheet count charging method or period charging method, and the payment amount information that the user pays to the service provider, etc. at that time. If the contract instruction is obtained, S10 determines Yes and proceeds to S20. If S10 determines No, it proceeds to S60 described later.

[0035] At S20, the content of the contract for which the contract instruction was obtained at S10 is specified. As a result, for example, whether it is a contract of the sheet count charging method (hereinafter, appropriately abbreviated as "sheet count charging contract"), a contract of the period charging method (hereinafter, appropriately abbreviated as "period charging contract"), etc. is specified.

[0036] Thereafter, in S30, a drive signal pattern corresponding to the contract content specified in S20 is specified. For example, in the case of a per-copy charging contract, when the user performs printing in a relatively large quantity, a drive signal pattern in which the drive pulse signal is arranged in advance so that the ink density becomes relatively low (hereinafter appropriately referred to as the "pattern for high printing volume") is first specified. Further, according to the detailed content of the per-copy charging contract, in preparation for the case where the user performs a large amount of printing close to the upper limit number of printed copies specified in the contract, a drive signal pattern in which the drive pulse signal is arranged in advance so that the discharge amount becomes relatively low (hereinafter appropriately referred to as the "pattern for reducing discharge amount") may also be specified. Also, for example, in the case of a time-based charging contract, since it is assumed that the user performs printing in a relatively large quantity during the period specified in the contract, similarly to the above, a pattern for high printing volume is specified. Furthermore, in the case of a contract in which the drive signal pattern can be made variable according to the printing volume during that period, similarly to the above, a pattern for reducing discharge amount is also specified. Note that, for example, when it is neither a per-copy charging contract nor a time-based charging contract, the aforementioned default pattern is specified.

[0037] Then, the process proceeds to S40. For example, by accessing the external device 150 via the external communication I / F 87, the drive signal pattern specified in S30 is downloaded and acquired from the external device 150, and is installed in the sub-pattern storage unit 53A of the RAM 53. Note that the timing from when the contract details are specified in S20 until S40 is executed is an example of the first timing, and the process executed by the CPU 51 in S40 is an example of the signal pattern acquisition process. In this embodiment, for example, the sub-pattern storage unit 53A stores both a plurality of the sub-patterns, that is, the high print volume pattern and the low discharge amount pattern. If the memory capacity of the sub-pattern storage unit 53A is not very large, only one of the sub-patterns is stored in the sub-pattern storage unit 53A. Alternatively, instead of storing it in the default pattern storage unit 54A of the EEPROM 54 that stores the default pattern, it may be stored in the RAM 53. In this case, if the memory capacity of the sub-pattern storage unit 53A is not very large as described above, the default pattern stored in the RAM 53 is erased, and one of the sub-patterns may be stored in the capacity freed by this erasure.

[0038] Thereafter, the process proceeds to S50. For example, based on the cartridge type information obtained by communication with the aforementioned cartridge memory 65 via the cartridge communication unit 85, the type of the ink cartridge 32 mounted in the cartridge holder 35 is specified. Note that the process executed by the CPU 51 in S50 is an example of the container identification process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S60.

[0039] Then, it proceeds to S60, and it is determined whether the type of the ink cartridge 32 specified in S50 is compatible with the contract content specified in S20 and the drive signal pattern specified in S30. In other words, in S60, it is verified whether the type of the ink cartridge 32 specified in S50 matches the type of the ink cartridge 32 to be mounted in the cartridge holder 35 according to the contract content specified in S20. Note that the process executed by the CPU 51 in S60 is an example of the container verification process. If it is not compatible, a No determination is made and it proceeds to S70. After an exchange alarm indicating that "the ink cartridge should be replaced" is displayed on the display unit appropriately provided in the printer 1, it returns to S10 and the same procedure is repeated. Note that this alarm display may be performed on the external device 150 connected via the external communication I / F 87.

[0040] On the other hand, if the type of the ink cartridge 32 is compatible with the contract content specified in S20 and the drive signal pattern specified in S30, a Yes determination is made and it proceeds to S100 where the drive signal pattern determination process is performed. In this case, the drive signal pattern determination process in S100, in other words, the drive signal pattern is determined based on the type of the ink cartridge 32 to be mounted in the cartridge holder 35 according to the contract content specified in S20.

[0041] The detailed procedure of the drive signal pattern determination process in S100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, first in S110, it is determined whether the contract content specified in S20 described above is the sheet count billing contract. If it is not the sheet count billing contract, a No determination is made and it proceeds to S120.

[0042] In S120, it is determined whether the contract content specified in S20 described above is the period billing contract. If it is not the period billing contract, a No determination is made and it proceeds to S130.

[0043] In S130, in response to the fact that the contract content specified in the aforementioned S20 is neither a per-copy billing contract nor a period billing contract, the drive signal pattern used for printing is set to the aforementioned default pattern, this routine ends, and the process proceeds to the aforementioned S10.

[0044] On the other hand, in S120, if the contract content specified in the aforementioned S20 is the above period billing contract, a Yes determination is made and the process proceeds to S140. In S140, it is determined whether the details of the period billing contract are such that the drive signal pattern can be made variable according to the printing amount during the period. If it is a contract in which the drive signal pattern can be made variable, a Yes determination is made and the process proceeds to S150.

[0045] In S150, it is determined whether the number of pages of the printed recording paper P at this point (hereinafter, simply referred to as the "printing amount" as appropriate) exceeds a predetermined threshold value set in advance. This threshold value is set to an appropriate value in advance, for example, to prevent the service provider's disadvantage that may occur when the printing amount greatly exceeds the printing amount assumed to be performed by the user during the period specified in the contract. While the printing amount at this point does not exceed the above threshold value, a No determination is made and the process proceeds to S160.

[0046] In S160, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing is set from among the drive signal patterns acquired and installed in S40 as described above. Specifically, in this S160, as described above, in response to the user performing printing in a relatively large quantity corresponding to a per-copy charging contract, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing is set to the above-described high-printing-volume pattern that has been arranged in advance to have a relatively lower ink density. Note that if a drive signal pattern different from the high-printing-volume pattern had been set before the setting of this high-printing-volume pattern, in this S160, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing is automatically changed from the different drive signal pattern to the high-printing-volume pattern. Here, the "change" means replacing the drive signal pattern to be used for printing, and as described above, the default pattern stored in the default pattern storage unit 54A of the EEPROM 54 is not replaced and is held as it is. Therefore, in this case, the different drive signal pattern is an example of the first drive signal pattern, and the high-printing-volume pattern is an example of the second drive signal pattern. Thereafter, this routine is terminated and the process proceeds to S10 described above.

[0047] On the other hand, if it is determined as Yes in S150 because the printing quantity at this time exceeds the above-described threshold value, the process proceeds to S162. In S162, in response to the possibility that the printing quantity may greatly exceed the initially assumed printing quantity, a warning notification to the effect of changing the drive signal pattern to be used for printing to the above-described low ejection quantity pattern arranged to have a relatively lower ejection quantity is transmitted to the user. Specifically, the warning notification is transmitted to the above-described external device 150 where the user can recognize the warning notification via, for example, the external communication I / F 87. Note that if the user is near the printer 1 or the like, the warning notification may be given on a display unit appropriately provided on the printer 1.

[0048] When the user who has recognized the advance notice performs an appropriate operation indicating their understanding of the change to the low ink ejection pattern on the external device 150, an instruction corresponding to the operation is acquired via the external communication I / F 87. When the advance notice is given on the display unit of the printer 1, the user performs an appropriate operation indicating their understanding of the change to the low ink ejection pattern on an appropriate operation unit provided on the printer 1, and an instruction corresponding to the operation is acquired. In this case, this operation is an example of a pattern change operation, and the process executed by the CPU 51 at this time is an example of a change operation reception process.

[0049] By acquiring the instruction from the external device 150 as described above or the instruction corresponding to the operation of the operation unit, a Yes determination is made in S165 following S162, and the process proceeds to S170. Note that the instruction acquired corresponding to the operation of the operation unit in S165 is an example of a pattern change command, and in that case, the process executed by the CPU 51 in S165 is an example of a change command reception process.

[0050] In S170, as described above, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing is set from among the drive signal patterns acquired and installed in S40. Specifically, in this S170, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing is changed to the above low discharge quantization pattern. The timing at which this S170 is executed is an example of the second timing. In this case, until immediately before S150 is determined to be Yes, S150 is determined to be No and what was set to the high print volume pattern in S160 is automatically changed to the low discharge quantization pattern in S170. That is, in this case, among the high print volume pattern and the low discharge quantization pattern downloaded in S40 and installed in the sub-pattern storage unit 53A, initially the high print volume pattern is used, and after S170 is determined to be Yes, the drive signal pattern to be used is automatically changed to the low discharge quantization pattern. Here, the "change" means replacing the drive signal pattern to be used for printing, and as described above, the default pattern stored in the default pattern storage unit 54A of the EEPROM 54 is not replaced and is held as it is. Therefore, in this case, the high print volume pattern is an example of the first drive signal pattern, and the low discharge quantization pattern is an example of the second drive signal pattern. After the completion of S170, this routine is terminated and the process proceeds to S10 described above.

[0051] On the other hand, in the above S140, if it is determined No that the details of the period billing contract are not a contract that can vary the drive signal pattern according to the printing amount during the period, the process directly proceeds to the above S170, and the drive signal pattern used for printing is changed to the above low discharge amount pattern. In this case, if a drive signal pattern different from the low discharge amount pattern was set before the setting of this low discharge amount pattern, in this S170, the drive signal pattern used for printing is automatically changed from the different drive signal pattern to the above low discharge amount pattern. Here, the "change" means replacing the drive signal pattern used for printing, and as described above, the default pattern stored in the default pattern storage unit 54A of the EEPROM 54 is not replaced and is held as it is. Therefore, in this case, the different drive signal pattern is an example of the first drive signal pattern, and the low discharge amount pattern is an example of the second drive signal pattern.

[0052] Also, in the above S110, it is determined whether or not the contract content specified in the above S20 is a sheet count billing contract. If it is a sheet count billing contract, it is determined Yes, and the process proceeds to S180. In S180, based on the print data separately acquired from an external device 150 or the like, in the print content for the recording paper P for which printing is to be executed next at this time, it is determined whether or not the count value of the number of print dots (hereinafter, appropriately abbreviated as "dot count") exceeds a predetermined threshold value determined in advance. As described above, this threshold value is set to an appropriate value in advance to prevent the service provider's disadvantage in the case of printing where the dot count becomes extremely large, such as in the case of printing high-quality photos, graphs, or other precision drawing images. At that time, the value of the threshold may be changed depending on whether it is color printing or monochrome printing. Note that not limited to the dot count, other values may be used as long as they are physical property values, state quantities, etc. corresponding to the ink usage amount. That is, the dot count is an example of the ink usage amount. If it is not printing such as the above photos or precision drawing images and does not exceed the above threshold value, it is determined No in S180, and the process proceeds to the above S160, and the drive signal pattern used for printing is set to the above high print amount pattern.

[0053] In S180, when it is printing such as the above high-quality photo or precision drawing image and exceeds the above threshold value, S180 is determined as Yes and the process proceeds to S182. In S182, similar to the above S162, in response to the possibility that the dot count may greatly exceed the originally assumed value, a notice of changing the drive signal pattern used for printing to the above low ejection quantization pattern is transmitted to the external device 150 via, for example, the external communication I / F 87. Similar to the above, the above notice may be given on the display unit of the printer 1.

[0054] Similar to S162, by performing an operation indicating that the user who recognized the notice has understood on the external device 150 or the operation unit, an instruction corresponding to the operation is obtained, and as a result, a Yes determination is made in the next S185 and the process proceeds to S190. Note that, similar to the above S165, the above instruction obtained in S185 is an example of a pattern change command, and the process executed by the CPU 51 in S185 is an example of a change command reception process. Note that the above instruction obtained corresponding to the operation of the operation unit in S185 is an example of a pattern change command as described above, and in that case, the process executed by the CPU 51 in S185 is an example of a change command reception process.

[0055] In S190, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing is set from among the drive signal patterns acquired and installed in S40 as described above. Specifically, in this S190, similar to the aforementioned S170, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing is set to the high print volume pattern. In S190, in response to the printed content on the recording paper P to be printed at this time greatly exceeding the assumed dot count range, the drive signal pattern to be used for printing on the recording paper P is set to the low discharge amount pattern arranged so that the discharge amount is relatively low. The timing at which this S190 is executed is an example of the second timing. In this case, until immediately before S180 is determined to be Yes, S180 is determined to be No and what was set to the high print volume pattern in S160 is automatically changed to the low discharge amount pattern in S190. That is, in this case, among the high print volume pattern and the low discharge amount pattern downloaded in S40 and installed in the sub-pattern storage unit 53A, first the high print volume pattern is used, and after S180 is determined to be Yes, the drive signal pattern to be used is automatically changed to the low discharge amount pattern. Here, the "change" means replacing the drive signal pattern to be used for printing, and as described above, the default pattern stored in the default pattern storage unit 54A of the EEPROM 54 is not replaced and is held as it is. Therefore, in this case, the high print volume pattern is an example of the first drive signal pattern, and the low discharge amount pattern is an example of the second drive signal pattern. After the completion of S190, this routine is terminated and the process proceeds to the aforementioned S10.

[0056] Note that the processes executed by the CPU 51 in the aforementioned S130, S160, S170, and S190 are an example of a change command reception process and also an example of a signal pattern setting process. Further, those S130, S160, S170, and S190 are an example of a signal pattern setting step.

[0057] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in the printer 1 of the present embodiment, ink is introduced from the ink cartridge 32 into the inkjet head 3, and the ink is ejected from the inkjet head 3 to print on the recording paper P. A predetermined contract is concluded in advance with the printer 1 or with respect to the use by the user of the printer 1. The inkjet head 3 that ejects ink is driven by a drive signal pattern, and the drive signal pattern is automatically set according to contract information corresponding to the above contract (see S110 to S190 in FIG. 4). According to the present embodiment, since the inkjet head 3 is driven by a drive signal pattern corresponding to the concluded contract content, it is possible to provide an optimized printing service with flexibility corresponding to the contract.

[0058] Also, in particular in the present embodiment, the type of the ink cartridge 32 to be mounted in the cartridge holder 35 is determined in advance corresponding to the contract information representing the content of the contract (see S50, S60). In the signal pattern setting process, the drive signal pattern is set corresponding to the type of the ink cartridge 32 to be mounted. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an optimized printing service corresponding to the type of the ink cartridge 32 used in the concluded contract.

[0059] Also, in particular in the present embodiment, at least one type of drive signal pattern is stored in advance in the EEPROM 54 or the RAM 53. In S160, S170, S190 of FIG. 4, the drive signal pattern previously stored in the EEPROM 54 or the RAM 53 is changed to another drive signal pattern according to the contract information. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an optimized printing service by changing the drive signal pattern stored in the EEPROM 54 or the RAM 53 to one corresponding to the contract. In the above "change", instead of replacing it with a completely different drive signal pattern as described above, the "change" may be realized by deforming or adjusting a part of the waveform of the drive pulse signal of the original drive signal pattern.

[0060] In particular, in this embodiment, a default pattern and a different drive signal pattern other than the default pattern are stored in advance in the EEPROM 54 or RAM 53. In S160, S170, and S190 in FIG. 4, the default pattern stored in the EEPROM 54 or RAM 53 is not changed, and the different drive signal pattern other than the default pattern is changed to a drive signal pattern corresponding to the contract. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an optimized print service while preserving the default pattern stored in the EEPROM 54 or RAM 53 without changing it.

[0061] In particular, in this embodiment, the printer 1 is provided with an external communication I / F 87. After the contract is established and the contract contents are specified in S20, S40 is executed, and the different drive signal pattern other than the default pattern can be obtained from the external device 150 through communication via the external communication I / F 87. Note that, instead of acquiring a new drive signal pattern from the outside and making the above change, the above change including replacement may be made between drive signal patterns prepared in advance in the printer 1.

[0062] In addition, particularly in this embodiment, in S160, S170, and S190, which are executed at a timing after the timing of installing the drive signal pattern in the sub-pattern storage unit 53A in S40, the drive signal pattern set up until that point is changed to the drive signal pattern acquired in S40. According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a print service optimized in accordance with the contract by using the drive signal pattern acquired from the external device 150 by communication.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, particularly, when the print amount exceeds a threshold in S150 or when the dot count as the ink usage amount exceeds a threshold in S180, the drive signal pattern set up until that point is changed to another drive signal pattern corresponding to the contract (see S170, S190). According to this embodiment, when a user prints a large amount of data, the drive signal pattern can be switched to one corresponding to the contract.

[0064] Also, particularly in this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 32 is mounted on the cartridge holder 35, the type of the ink cartridge 32 is identified in S50. In S60 thereafter, it is collated whether the type of the identified ink cartridge 32 matches the type of the ink cartridge 32 to be mounted on the cartridge holder 35 according to the contract information. When the type of the mounted ink cartridge 32 is different from the ink cartridge 32 corresponding to the contract, a corresponding warning notification is made in S70. According to this embodiment, it is possible to make the user recognize that an inappropriate ink cartridge 32 is mounted on the cartridge holder 35.

[0065] Also, particularly in this embodiment, cartridge type information is stored in the cartridge memory 65 of the ink cartridge 32. The cartridge type information stored in the cartridge memory 65 is acquired in S50, and the above-mentioned collation is performed in S60. According to this embodiment, the collation can be performed with high accuracy and reliability based on the cartridge type information stored on the ink cartridge 32 side.

[0066] Also, particularly in this embodiment, an instruction to the effect that a change to a low ejection amount pattern is understood is received from an external device 150, such as a manufacturer / sales company of the printer 1, a server of a business operator providing a printing service, or a user's information terminal (see S165, S185). Triggered by this reception, S170 and S190 are performed, and the originally set drive signal pattern is changed to another drive signal pattern corresponding to the contract. According to this embodiment, it is possible to execute the change of the drive signal pattern based on the operation of the external device 150 and provide an optimized printing service. Also, particularly, when the drive signal patterns in S170 and S190 are set based on an instruction obtained corresponding to an appropriate operation of the user on the operation unit of the printer 1 in the above-mentioned S165 and S185, it is possible to execute the change of the drive signal pattern based on the operation of the operation unit of the printer 1 and provide an optimized printing service.

[0067] <Modification Example> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical idea thereof. Hereinafter, such modification examples will be described in order. The same reference numerals are given to the parts equivalent to those in the above-described embodiment, and the description will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0068] (1) Specific Example of Drive Signal Pattern Based on Droplet Size That is, as the type of the drive signal pattern, four types, namely, large balls, medium balls, small balls, and micro balls, may be used according to the total volume of the ink droplets. The drive signal patterns related to each of these large balls, medium balls, small balls, and micro balls will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(a) to (d).

[0069] For example, FIG. 5(a) depicts a drive signal pattern for large balls. This drive signal pattern is composed of four high-level periods, that is, the volume expansion periods of the pressure chambers described above, and the low-level periods before and after them, that is, the volume contraction periods of the pressure chambers described above. After the end of the first three high-level periods H11, H12, and H13, each of which is a discharge pulse, ink droplets (for example, with a volume of 12 pl) are discharged from the nozzle 10 by the above-described suck-back, and large dots are formed on the recording paper P by the three ink droplets overlapping. Then, in the fourth high-level period H14, which is a cancellation pulse, ink is not discharged from the nozzle 10, but the fluctuation of the ink pressure remaining in the pressure chamber is canceled. This prevents adverse effects on the next ink discharge.

[0070] Figure 5(b) depicts the drive signal pattern for the medium-sized dots. This drive signal pattern consists of three high-level periods and the low-level periods before and after them. After the end of the first two high-level periods H21 and H22, each of which is an ejection pulse, ink droplets (e.g., with a volume of 12 pl) are ejected from the nozzle 10 by the above-mentioned snap-back, and the two ink droplets overlap to form medium-sized dots on the recording paper P. Then, during the third high-level period H23, which is a cancellation pulse, instead of ink being ejected from the nozzle, the fluctuations in the ink pressure remaining in the pressure chamber are canceled out.

[0071] Figure 5(c) depicts the drive signal pattern for the small dots. This drive signal pattern consists of two high-level periods and the low-level periods before and after them. After the end of the first high-level period H31, which is an ejection pulse, an ink droplet (e.g., with a volume of 12 pl) is ejected from the nozzle 10 by the above-mentioned snap-back, and small dots are formed on the recording paper P. Then, during the second high-level period H32, which is a cancellation pulse, instead of ink being ejected from the nozzle, the fluctuations in the ink pressure remaining in the pressure chamber are canceled out.

[0072] Figure 5(d) depicts the drive signal pattern for the micro dots. This drive signal pattern consists of three high-level periods and the low-level periods before and after them. After the end of the first high-level period H41, which is an ejection pulse, an ink droplet (e.g., with a volume of 12 pl) attempts to be ejected from the nozzle 10 by the above-mentioned snap-back. However, since the second high-level period H42, which is a retraction pulse, occurs within a relatively short time thereafter, a part of the rear end side of the ink droplet attempting to be ejected from the nozzle 10 is drawn into the inside of the nozzle. As a result, the volume of the ink droplet actually ejected from the nozzle 10 becomes about 5 pl, and as a result, micro dots are formed on the recording paper P. Then, during the third high-level period H43, which is a cancellation pulse, instead of ink being ejected from the nozzle, the fluctuations in the ink pressure remaining in the pressure chamber are canceled out.

[0073] In the method of changing the drive signal pattern according to the contract content as described above, an example of the association between the contract and the drive signal patterns for the large balls, medium balls, and small balls is shown in FIG. 6. In this example, as the drive signal patterns for the small balls, three different drive signal patterns a, p, and x are prepared. As the drive signal patterns for the medium balls, three different drive signal patterns b, q, and y are prepared. As the drive signal patterns for the large balls, three different drive signal patterns c, r, and z are prepared. That is, these nine drive signal patterns a to c, p to r, and x to z are different from each other.

[0074] In the example of FIG. 6, when Contract I is concluded, the drive signal pattern a is set for the small balls, the drive signal pattern b is set for the medium balls, and the drive signal pattern c is set for the large balls. When Contract II is concluded, the drive signal pattern p is set for the small balls, the drive signal pattern q is set for the medium balls, and the drive signal pattern r is set for the large balls. When Contract III is concluded, the drive signal pattern x is set for the small balls, the drive signal pattern y is set for the medium balls, and the drive signal pattern z is set for the large balls.

[0075] Also, FIG. 7 shows another example of the association. In this example, the association between the contract and the drive signal patterns for the large balls, medium balls, small balls, and micro balls is made. In the example shown in FIG. 7, one drive signal pattern g is prepared as the drive signal pattern for the small balls, one drive signal pattern h is prepared as the drive signal pattern for the medium balls, and one drive signal pattern i is prepared as the drive signal pattern for the large balls. Also, one drive signal pattern s is prepared as the drive signal pattern for the micro balls. These four drive signal patterns g, h, i, and s are different from each other.

[0076] In the example of FIG. 7, when Contract IV is concluded, the drive signal pattern g is set for the small balls, the drive signal pattern h is set for the medium balls, and the drive signal pattern i is set for the large balls. When Contract V is concluded, the drive signal pattern s is set for the tiny balls, while the drive signal patterns g and h, which are the same as those in Contract IV, are set for the small balls and the medium balls, respectively. That is, in this example, among the drive signal patterns g, h, i, and s prepared in advance, the patterns to be used are reorganized for each contract.

[0077] In the modified examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 above, as described above, among the drive signal patterns prepared in advance in the printer 1, those selected according to the contract content are set as the drive signal patterns to be used for printing, thereby obtaining the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0078] When drive signal patterns for large balls, medium balls, small balls, and tiny balls are prepared as illustrated in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, for example, when the dot count exceeds the aforementioned threshold value and a Yes determination is made in S180 of FIG. 4 described above, in subsequent S190, the size of the balls may remain the same while the interval between the balls is widened to make the overall distribution sparse, or the drive signal pattern may be made more like that for small balls.

[0079] (2) When no default pattern is provided In the above, the case where the default pattern is provided in the default pattern storage unit 54A of the EEPROM 54 of the printer 1 and the default pattern is not changed but retained when the drive signal pattern corresponding to the contract is set has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, for example, when the printer 1 is a model with not much memory capacity originally, the default pattern may not be provided. In this case, each time printing is performed based on the contract, the corresponding drive signal pattern may be acquired from an external device 150 or the like and stored in the sub-pattern storage unit 53A of the RAM 53, and set as the drive signal pattern to be used in printing.

[0080] (3) When changing the drive signal pattern triggered by an operation on the operation unit of the printer or the like In the above, after the contract is concluded and the content is specified in S20, when the threshold is exceeded in S150 and S180, the change of the drive signal pattern is performed after waiting to obtain an instruction indicating that the change of the drive signal pattern has been understood in S165 and S185, but this is not the only case. That is, even in cases other than when the threshold is exceeded in the above S150 and S180, the setting may always be performed on the basis of obtaining the same instruction as above when setting the drive signal pattern in S130, S160, S170, and S190. In this case, as described above, the change of the drive signal pattern can be executed based on the operation of the external device 150, and an optimized printing service can be provided. Also in that case, as in the above, it may be triggered by obtaining an instruction corresponding to an operation on an appropriate operation unit provided in the printer 1. In this case, the change of the drive signal pattern can be executed based on the operation of the operation unit of the printer 1, and an optimized printing service can be provided.

[0081] Furthermore, the change of the drive signal pattern may be performed on the condition that both the instruction from the external device 150 as described above is received and in addition, the instruction corresponding to the operation of the operation unit is obtained. In this case, the change of the drive signal pattern can be executed based on the operation of the external device 150 and the operation of the operation unit of the printer 1, and an optimized printing service can be provided.

[0082] (4) Others In addition, in the above, the case where the ink cartridge 32 detachable from the cartridge holder 35 is used as the container has been described as an example, but this is not limited thereto. That is, a tank fixedly provided in the printer 1 and storing ink therein may be used as the above container. Also, in the above, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above flow, and procedures may be added, deleted, or the order may be changed within the scope not departing from the gist and technical idea of the invention.

[0083] In addition to what has been described above, the methods according to the above embodiments and each modification example may be used in appropriate combination.

[0084] Although not exemplified one by one, the present invention is implemented with various changes made within the scope not departing from its gist.

Explanation of Signs

[0085] 1 Printer (an example of a printing device) 2 Carriage 3 Inkjet head (an example of a discharge head) 32 Ink cartridge (an example of a container) 35 Cartridge holder (an example of a mounting portion) 51 CPU (an example of a control unit) P Recording paper (an example of a medium to be printed)

Claims

1. a printing unit that includes an ejection head that ejects ink introduced from a container that accommodates ink, and that performs printing on a print medium using the ink; A control unit; A printing device comprising: The control unit is A signal pattern setting process for automatically setting a drive signal pattern for driving the ejection head in accordance with contract information concluded for the printing device or for the use of the printing device by a user. Run In the signal pattern setting process, A printing device that sets the drive signal pattern so as to reduce the amount of ejection from the ejection head based on both whether the contract content represented by the contract information is a per-page billing contract or a term billing contract, and whether the dot count or printing amount at the time the printing is performed exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. In the signal pattern setting process, The contract contents represented by the contract information are the per-page billing contract, and 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the dot count exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the drive signal pattern is set to a low-ejection amount drive signal pattern for reducing the ejection amount.

3. In the signal pattern setting process, The contract content represented by the contract information is the fixed-term billing contract, and 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the print amount exceeds a predetermined second threshold, the drive signal pattern is set to a low-ejection amount drive signal pattern for reducing the ejection amount.

4. A printing device including a printing unit that includes an ejection head that ejects ink introduced from a container that accommodates ink, and that prints on a print medium using the ink, and a control unit, A signal pattern setting step of automatically setting a drive signal pattern for driving the ejection head in accordance with contract information concluded for the printing device or for use by a user of the printing device. A print control program for executing In the signal pattern setting step, A printing control program that sets the drive signal pattern so as to reduce the amount of ejection from the ejection head based on both whether the contract content represented by the contract information is a per-page billing contract or a term billing contract, and whether the dot count or printing amount at the time the printing is executed exceeds a predetermined threshold.

5. In the signal pattern setting step, The contract contents represented by the contract information are the per-page billing contract, and 5. The print control program according to claim 4, further comprising: setting the drive signal pattern to a low-ejection-amount drive signal pattern for reducing the ejection amount when the dot count exceeds a predetermined first threshold value.

6. In the signal pattern setting step, The contract contents represented by the contract information are the fixed-term billing contract, and 5. The print control program according to claim 4, further comprising: setting the drive signal pattern to a low-ejection-amount drive signal pattern for reducing the ejection amount when the print amount exceeds a predetermined second threshold value.

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