Recording apparatus, control method of recording apparatus, and program

Abstract

To properly determine a service life of a recording head.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: first storing means that stores first service-life information concerning a service life of an attachable / detachable recording head; obtaining means that obtains the first service-life information from the first storing means and obtains second service-life information on the recording head from second storing means held by the recording head; and determining means that determines third service-life information on the recording head, on the basis of the first service-life information and the second service-life information obtained by the obtaining means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device, a control method for the recording device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In an inkjet color printer, image recording is performed by ejecting ink from recording heads that eject inks such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black respectively. The recording head may be treated as a consumable, and Patent Document 1 discloses an example of determining whether the head can be continuously used by using the continuous use time or the energization time since it was attached. Conventionally, there has been known a technique for reducing the deterioration of the recording head by implementing a design change in the recording device or the recording head, so that the inkjet head can be used for a longer period.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The transition from the start of use of the recording head to reaching the end of its life and being replaced needs to be accurately grasped from the perspective of the user preparing after being requested by the user to replace the recording head. However, due to design changes in the recording head, it has become difficult to grasp the accurate life, and there have been cases where the replacement of the recording head cannot be notified at an appropriate timing.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to appropriately determine the life of the recording head.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A recording apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure a first storage means for storing first life information regarding the life of a detachable recording head, an acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring second life information of the recording head from a second storage means held by the recording head, and a determination means for determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the life of the recording head can be suitably determined.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a color inkjet recording apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as the recording apparatus 100) applicable in the present embodiment. Four ink tanks (not shown) each store four colors of ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), and are configured to be able to supply these four colors of ink to recording heads 201 to 204. The recording heads 201 to 204 are provided corresponding to the four colors of ink, and are configured to be able to eject the ink supplied from the ink tanks. In the present embodiment, the recording heads 201 to 204 will be described as detachable parts.

[0011] The conveyance roller 103 rotates while sandwiching the recording medium (recording paper) 107 together with the auxiliary roller 104 to convey the recording medium 107 in the X direction. Also, it plays a role of holding the recording medium 107. The recording apparatus 100 records an image by ejecting ink from the recording heads 201 to 204 while moving the recording medium 107 in the conveyance direction X. When the recording is completed, the recording heads 201 to 204 retract to a position (not shown), and maintenance of the recording heads and the like is performed. The recording operation of ejecting ink from the recording heads 201 to 204 is performed based on the control by the control means described later.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording control system circuit of the recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. The recording apparatus 100 is connected to a data supply apparatus such as a host computer (hereinafter, host PC) 1200 via an interface 400. Various data transmitted from the data supply apparatus or control signals related to recording are input to a recording control unit 500 of the recording apparatus 100. The recording control unit 500 includes a CPU 501 (which may be an ASIC), a ROM 502, and a RAM 503. The CPU 501 controls the entire recording apparatus 100 using the RAM 503 as a work area according to programs and various parameters stored in the ROM 502. For example, when a print job is input from the host PC 1200 via the interface 400, the CPU 501 performs predetermined image processing, which will be described later, on the received image data. Then, based on the image data after the image processing, the motor driver 403 and the head drivers 405 to 408 are driven to record an image on the recording medium. The conveyance motor 401 rotates the conveyance roller 103 for conveying the recording medium 107. The motor driver 403 drives the conveyance motor 401 under the instruction of the CPU 301. The head drivers 405 to 408 drive the recording heads 201 to 204 under the instruction of the CPU 301. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the recording head 201 has black ink flowing therein, the recording head 202 has cyan ink flowing therein, the recording head 203 has magenta ink flowing therein, and the recording head 204 has yellow ink flowing therein.

[0013] In addition to various programs, the ROM 502 stores life information, which is information related to the lives of the recording heads 201 to 204. Specifically, the life information indicates the upper limit of the number of times (ejection times) that the recording heads can perform ejection after being mounted on the recording apparatus, or the upper limit of the number of days (elapsed days) that the recording heads can be used after being mounted on the recording apparatus.

[0014] In addition, each of the recording heads 201 to 204 is provided with memory elements 301 to 304 for storing information regarding its own lifespan. The CPU 501 determines the lifespan of the currently installed recording heads 201 to 204 by referring to the information stored in the ROM 502 and the information stored in the memory elements 301 to 304 of the recording heads 201 to 204. The method for determining the lifespan will be described in detail later.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration for performing image data processing in an image processing system composed of a recording apparatus 100 and a host PC. The recording control unit 500 of the recording apparatus 100 processes data transferred from a host PC 1200 in which a printer driver is installed via the interface shown in FIG. 2. In the host PC 1200, input image data 1000 is received from an application. Then, a rendering process 1001 is performed at a resolution of 1200 dpi based on the received input image data 1000. As a result, recording multi-value RGB data 1002 is generated. In the present embodiment, the recording multi-value RGB data 1002 is data with 256 values for each of RGB. The generated recording multi-value RGB data 1002 is transferred to the recording control unit 500.

[0016] The recording control unit 500 performs a color conversion process 1007 for converting the recording multi-value RGB data 1002 into multi-value CMYK data 1008. The multi-value CMYK data is data with 256 values for each of CMYK. Next, the multi-value CMYK data 1008 is quantized (binarized) by a quantization process 1009 (e.g., error diffusion method or dither method). As a result, binary CMYK data 1010 with a resolution of 1200 dpi is generated. This data is sent to the head drivers 405 to 408, and ink is ejected from the recording heads 201 to 204 onto the recording paper 107.

[0017] Hereinafter, a method for more suitably determining the "lifespan", which is the number of days from the start of use of recording heads 201 to 204 until they can no longer be used due to deterioration or the like, will be described. By more accurately determining the lifespan, it is possible to notify the user to replace the recording head at a more accurate timing, making it easier for the user to manage the recording head.

[0018] Figures 4(a) to (d) are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the number of days elapsed since the recording head was mounted on the recording apparatus and ink was poured in, and the degree of lifespan attainment. The degree of lifespan attainment indicates the rate of deterioration until the recording head reaches the lifespan. In the present embodiment, such a degree of lifespan attainment is managed by the CPU 501 using the ROM 502 or the like.

[0019] Figure 4(a) is a graph showing the relationship between the number of days elapsed since the recording head was mounted on the recording apparatus 100 and ink was poured in, and the degree of lifespan attainment. The CPU 501 derives the degree of lifespan attainment from the number of days elapsed using the broken line indicated by 701. As shown in Figure 4(a), the degree of lifespan attainment gradually increases until the number of days elapsed reaches 400 days, but rises rapidly after exceeding 400 days. Note that the information stored by the recording apparatus 100 using the ROM 502 may be the graph itself shown in Figure 4(a), or may be information indicating the degree of lifespan attainment for each day. Further, for example, if three-point information is stored as shown in the table in Figure 4(b), the degree of lifespan attainment such as the broken line 701 can be derived by linear interpolation.

[0020] Figure 4(d) is a diagram showing an example of the lifespan information for each ink color stored in the ROM 502 of the recording apparatus 100. The correspondence relationship between the degree of lifespan attainment and the number of days elapsed is set for three points for each ink color. The recording apparatus 100 derives broken lines 701 to 404 as shown in Figure 4(c) based on such lifespan information.

[0021] Figure 4(c) is a graph showing the relationship between the number of days elapsed and the degree of reaching the end of life, which is derived by connecting three points stored as the end-of-life information in Figure 4(d) with a straight line. In Figure 4(c), the broken line 702 corresponds to cyan ink, the broken line 703 corresponds to magenta ink, and the broken line 704 corresponds to yellow ink. Looking at the broken lines 701 to 704, the number of days elapsed until the degree of reaching the end of life reaches from 0% to 10% is different for each color, but the number of days elapsed until the degree of reaching the end of life reaches from 10% to 100% is unified at 100 days. In other words, after the degree of reaching the end of life reaches 10%, the slopes of the broken lines are set equal for each ink color. And in this embodiment, when a predetermined number of days have elapsed after the degree of reaching the end of life exceeds 10% (for example, when the degree of reaching the end of life reaches 50%), a warning of head replacement is notified to the user. In this way, the number of days from the exchange warning to the actual exchange can be made the same regardless of the type of ink. Although the above assumes that the notification is made when the degree of reaching the end of life reaches 50%, as long as it is after the degree of reaching the end of life reaches 50%, the purpose of making the number of days from the exchange warning to the actual exchange the same can be achieved. Also, since the time for head replacement is the time when printing cannot be done (=downtime), the numerical values immediately before head replacement are considered particularly important for the user. There are cases where it is more convenient for the user to replace the head slightly in advance in accordance with the replacement of other color heads, or to replace the head slightly in advance in order to print continuously without stopping in the middle. To meet such demands, it is very important to make the number of days and time from the exchange warning to the actual exchange the same. Also, in order to notify the user in more detail, the head replacement can be warned step by step. Also, the numerical value of the degree of reaching the end of life itself may be displayed.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the life information for each ink color that can be stored in the ROM 502 of the recording apparatus 100. In FIG. 4(d), the correspondence relationships for three points are shown for each color, but in this example, a case where information for more points is stored is shown. In this example, the number of days elapsed until the life reach reaches from 0% to 55% is different for each color, but the number of days elapsed until the life reach reaches from 55% to 100% is unified to 50 days. In the case of this example, for example, by giving a notification prompting the user to replace the ink when the life reach reaches 55%, the user can be made aware that the replacement will be made in the remaining 50 days regardless of the ink color.

[0023] On the other hand, the recording heads 201 to 204 of the present embodiment have memory elements 301 to 304 that store information regarding their own lives. The memory elements 301 to 304 of the recording heads are preferably in a rewritable form. If they are rewritable memory elements, the recording apparatus 100 can write information such as the date and time when the recording heads 201 to 204 were first installed in the recording apparatus, and the history of the recording apparatus 100 on which they are mounted. However, since the recording heads are replacement parts, it is preferable to minimize the capacity of the memory elements also for cost reduction. The recording heads 201 to 204 are distributed on the market in a state where they can be mounted on the recording apparatus 100 as recording heads for any ink color, and when they are mounted on the recording apparatus 100 and ink is poured in, the life is reset by the recording apparatus 100.

[0024] There may be a case where the recording head is removed from the recording apparatus 100 and then attached to another recording apparatus 100. Assuming such a case, the recording apparatus 100 of the present embodiment derives a new correspondence relationship between the life reach and the number of days elapsed based on the information stored in the memory elements 301 to 304 of the recording head (for example, the attachment date of the recording head). Specifically, for example, the information of the date when the recording head was first installed, which is stored in the recording head, is compared with the current time, and the number of days elapsed for the recording head can be obtained.

[0025] In addition, due to design changes or the like, the lifespan of the recording heads available on the market may be extended. For example, in response to the deterioration of the recording head due to the corrosion of the ink, if measures such as increasing the thickness of the corroded member are added in the manufacturing process, the lifespan of the recording head will be longer than that of the conventional product. Also from this perspective, it is effective to provide the recording head with a memory element that stores the lifespan information of the recording head.

[0026] Hereinafter, the lifespan information stored in the memory elements 301 to 304 of the recording heads 201 to 204, the lifespan information stored in the ROM 502 of the recording apparatus 100, and the processes executed by the CPU 501 of the recording apparatus will be described.

[0027] First, the memory elements 301 to 304 of the recording heads 201 to 204 and the ROM 501 of the recording apparatus 100 store the number of elapsed days that represents the lifespan of the recording head. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, it is "black = 500, cyan = 350, magenta = 300, yellow = 250". In the present embodiment, this information may be changed due to design changes in the recording head or the recording apparatus. In each recording head, when the recording head is first installed in the recording apparatus and its installation position is the black position, the recording apparatus sets "500 days" as the lifespan of the recording head. Similarly, when the recording head is installed in the cyan position of the recording apparatus, "350 days" is set as its lifespan, when installed in the magenta position, "300 days" is set, and when installed in the yellow position, "250 days" is set as the lifespan of the recording head.

[0028] In the recording apparatus 100, the life information stored in the memory elements 301 to 304 of the recording heads 201 to 204 is compared with the life information stored in the ROM 502 of the recording apparatus 100. And when these indicate the same life, that life is set as the life information (life numerical value) of the recording head. However, the memory elements 301 to 304 attached to the recording heads may break. In such a case, the recording apparatus 100 determines the life information stored in the ROM 502 in the recording apparatus 100 as the life information with the initial setting. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, it is "black = 500, cyan = 350, magenta = 300, yellow = 250". Also, the recording apparatus 100 holds an algorithm for converting this life information (life numerical value) into the life attainment degree. For example, in the case of the broken line algorithm shown in FIG. 4(c), the life attainment degree can be expressed by the following formulas (1) and (2).

[0029] (Life attainment degree [%]) = Elapsed days ÷ (Life - 100) × 10 {when (Life) - 100 > Elapsed days} ··· Formula (1) (Life attainment degree [%]) = Elapsed days × 0.9 - (Life - (0.1 × Life)) + 100 {when (Life) - 100 ≤ Elapsed days} ··· Formula (2) Then, the life attainment degree is derived based on the algorithm expressed by the above mathematical formula, and based on that life attainment degree, the user may be prompted to replace the head.

[0030] Next, the case where the life stored in the memory element of the recording head is different from the life held in the recording apparatus will be described. Also, in the following description, for convenience, the memory element 301 of the recording head 201 will be described as an example, but in reality, it is applicable to all of the memory elements 301 to 304 of the recording heads 201 to 204.

[0031] When the lifetime information stored in the memory element 301 of the recording head 201 is different from the lifetime information held by the recording device, for example, this may include the case where the lifetime of the recording head is extended due to a design change of the recording head 201. Also, for example, there may be a case where the lifetime of the recording head 201 is extended due to a design change on the recording device 100 side, such as a change in the temperature at which the recording device keeps the recording head 201 warm. In such cases, it is desirable to store the lifetime information after the design change in the ROM 502 of the recording device 100 after the design change.

[0032] Note that both the old lifetime (the lifetime before the design change) and the new lifetime (the lifetime after the design change) may be stored in the ROM 502 of the recording device 100. Also, in the memory element 301 of the recording head 201 after the design change, the lifetime before the design change and the lifetime after the design change may be stored. In any case, the CPU may compare the lifetime stored in the ROM 502 of the recording device 100 with the lifetime stored in the memory element 301 of the recording head 201, and determine the lifetime information indicating the longer lifetime as the lifetime information of that recording head. Then, the degree of lifetime attainment may be derived based on the determined new lifetime.

[0033] As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the lifetime information stored in the ROM of the recording device 100 and the lifetime information stored in the memory element of the recording head, the lifetime of the recording head can be appropriately determined. Furthermore, by using the determined lifetime and the algorithm for deriving the degree of lifetime attainment held by the recording device 100, a replacement notice to the user can be made more accurately.

[0034] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, when the lifetime information held by the recording head 201 is different from the lifetime information of the recording head held by the recording device 100, the lifetime information of the longer lifetime was determined as the new lifetime information. In contrast, in this embodiment, the lifetime information is determined based on the priority information stored in the memory element 301 of the recording head 201.

[0035] The recording head 201 may be replaced by the user before reaching its lifespan. In such a case, if the recording device 100 does not grasp that the recording head 201 has been replaced, there is a risk that the accurate lifespan cannot be grasped. Therefore, in this embodiment, priority information for determining which lifespan to prioritize is stored in the storage element 301 of the recording head 201. Then, the CPU 501 of the recording device 100 acquires the lifespan information and the priority information stored in the storage element 301, and determines a new lifespan based on the acquired priority information.

[0036] As described above, even when the recording head is frequently replaced, for example, since the recording head has priority information that prioritizes the lifespan of the recording head, the recording device 100 can prioritize the lifespan of the recording head and derive the accurate degree of lifespan attainment.

[0037] <Embodiment 3> In this embodiment, a new lifespan is determined by referring to a table possessed by the recording device 100 based on the lifespan information possessed by the recording head 201 and the lifespan information possessed by the recording device 100.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a table for determining the lifespan of the recording head 201 stored in the recording device 100. In this table, a new lifespan is associated with a combination of the lifespan of the recording head held by the recording head 201 and the lifespan of the recording head 201 held by the recording device 100. This table is information that the recording device 100 holds in advance. The new lifespan derived from the combination is set as the lifespan that the recording head 201 can guarantee, and may be updated as the recording device 100 is updated or the like.

[0039] Specifically, the table information shown in FIG. 6 describes that the lifespan (number of elapsed days) of the recording head 201 held by the recording apparatus 100 is "500 days", and the lifespan of the recording head 201 when there is a design change on the recording apparatus 100 side is "1000 days". Also, the lifespan (number of elapsed days) held by the recording head 201 is "=500 days", and the lifespan (number of elapsed days) of the recording head 201 when there is a design change on the recording head 201 side is ">500 days". By referring to such a table, the CPU 501 of the recording apparatus can determine a new lifespan based on the combination of the lifespan information held by the recording head 201 and the lifespan information held by the recording apparatus 100. For example, consider the case where design changes are made to both the recording apparatus 100 and the recording head 201, the lifespan held by the recording apparatus 100 is "1000 days", and the lifespan held by the memory element 301 of the recording head 201 is greater than 500 days. In this case, the CPU 501 can refer to the table and derive the new lifespan as "1400". After deriving the new lifespan, the lifespan reach can be determined using the new lifespan and an algorithm for determining the lifespan reach.

[0040] Here, an example where the design of the recording head 201 or the recording apparatus 100 is changed once has been taken up. However, there may be cases where the number of design changes is expected to increase in the future. In such cases, a table corresponding to each numerical value of the lifespan to be changed may be prepared, or the recording apparatus 100 may hold an algorithm using the lifespan value as a factor and determine the lifespan reach using the algorithm.

[0041] <Other Embodiments> In the above embodiment, the lifespan of the recording head has been described as the number of elapsed days since it was mounted on the recording apparatus and ink was flowed in. However, the lifespan may be defined by other factors. For example, the lifespan of the recording head may be the total number of discharges since the recording head was used. Even in this case, the lifespan reach can be derived using the total number of discharges.

[0042] In addition, in the algorithm described in Embodiment 1, the degree of life reach was described in a form derived based on a broken line as shown in FIG. 4(a). However, the form of the algorithm is not limited to this. For example, there may be a form in which the relationship between the number of discharges and the degree of life reach is represented by a linear relationship with a constant slope. Also, there may be a form in which the relationship between the number of discharges and the degree of life reach is represented by a non-linear relationship that depicts a gentle curve.

[0043] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0044] In addition, the present disclosure includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) A first storage means for storing first life information regarding the life of a detachable recording head; An acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring second life information of the recording head from second storage means held by the recording head; A determination means for determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition means; A recording apparatus comprising the same. (Configuration 2) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein when both the first life information and the second life information indicate the same life, the determination means determines the same life as the third life information. (Configuration 3) The recording apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein when the first life information and the second life information indicate different lives, the determination means determines, as the third life information, the life information indicating the longer life among the first life information and the second life information. (Configuration 4) The second storage means stores the second lifespan information and priority information indicating which of the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information is to be prioritized. The determination means determines the third lifespan information according to the priority information when the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information indicate different lifespans, according to Configuration 1 of the recording apparatus. (Configuration 5) The recording apparatus further includes third storage means for storing a table associating the combination of the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information with the third lifespan information. The determination means determines the third lifespan information according to the table when the first lifespan information and the second lifespan information indicate different numerical values, according to Configuration 1 of the recording apparatus. (Configuration 6) The recording apparatus further includes derivation means for deriving the degree of approach until the recording head reaches the end of its lifespan, based on the third lifespan information determined by the determination means, according to any one of Configurations 2 to 5. (Configuration 7) The recording apparatus further includes notification means for performing notification to prompt replacement of the recording head, based on the derived degree of approach, according to Configuration 6. (Configuration 8) The derivation means derives the degree of approach based on the third lifespan information by using an algorithm of the recording apparatus, according to Configuration 6. (Configuration 9) The first lifespan information, the second lifespan information, and the third lifespan information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of discharges after the recording head is mounted on the recording apparatus. The algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of discharges and the degree of approach, according to Configuration 8 of the recording apparatus. (Configuration 10) The first lifespan information, the second lifespan information, and the third lifespan information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of discharges after the recording head is mounted on the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a non-linear relationship between the number of discharges and the degree of reach. (Configuration 11) The first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of days elapsed since the recording head was attached to the recording apparatus, The recording apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of days elapsed and the degree of reach. (Configuration 12) The first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of days elapsed since the recording head was attached to the recording apparatus, The recording apparatus according to configuration 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a non-linear relationship between the number of days elapsed and the degree of reach. (Configuration 13) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the first life information is changed by a design change of the recording apparatus. (Configuration 14) The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the second life information is changed by a design change of the recording head. (Configuration 15) A step of acquiring first life information regarding the life of a detachable recording head from first storage means; A step of acquiring second life information regarding the life of the recording head from second storage means held by the recording head; A determination step of determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information; A control method for a recording apparatus, comprising: (Configuration 16) A program operating in a recording apparatus, the recording apparatus being First storage means for storing first life information regarding the life of a detachable recording head; An acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring the second life information of the recording head from the second storage means held by the recording head; A determination means for determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition means; A program characterized by causing the program to function as such.

Claims

1. A first storage means for storing first life information regarding the life of a detachable recording head; An acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring second life information of the recording head from second storage means held by the recording head; A determination means for determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition means; A recording apparatus, characterized by comprising:

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when both the first life information and the second life information indicate the same life, the determination means determines the same life as the third life information.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first life information and the second life information indicate different lives, the determination means determines, as the third life information, the life information indicating the longer life among the first life information and the second life information.

4. The second storage means stores the second life information and priority information indicating which of the first life information and the second life information is to be prioritized. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first life information and the second life information indicate different lives, the determination means determines the third life information according to the priority information.

5. The recording apparatus further comprises a third storage means for storing a table associating combinations of the first life information and the second life information with the third life information. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first life information and the second life information indicate different numerical values, the determination means determines the third life information according to the table.

6. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising deriving means for deriving a degree of approach until the recording head reaches the end of its life based on the third life information determined by the determining means.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising notifying means for performing notification to prompt replacement of the recording head based on the derived degree of approach.

8. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the deriving means derives the degree of approach based on the third life information by using an algorithm possessed by the recording apparatus.

9. The first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of discharges since the recording head was mounted on the recording apparatus, The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of discharges and the degree of approach.

10. The first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of discharges since the recording head was mounted on the recording apparatus, The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a non-linear relationship between the number of discharges and the degree of approach.

11. The first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of days elapsed since the recording head was mounted on the recording apparatus, The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a linear relationship between the number of days elapsed and the degree of approach.

12. The first life information, the second life information, and the third life information are information indicating the upper limit of the number of days elapsed since the recording head was mounted on the recording apparatus, The recording device according to claim 8, wherein the algorithm is information indicating a non-linear relationship between the number of elapsed days and the degree of attainment.

13. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the first life information is changed by a design change of the recording device.

14. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the second life information is changed by a design change of the recording head.

15. A step of obtaining first life information regarding the life of a detachable recording head from first storage means; A step of obtaining second life information regarding the life of the recording head from second storage means held by the recording head; A determination step of determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information; A control method for a recording device, comprising the steps of:

16. A program that operates in a recording device, the program causing the recording device to have first storage means for storing first life information regarding the life of a detachable recording head; acquisition means for acquiring the first life information from the first storage means and acquiring second life information of the recording head from second storage means held by the recording head; determination means for determining third life information of the recording head based on the first life information and the second life information acquired by the acquisition means; A program, characterized in that the program functions as such.

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