Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharge device that can previously deal with a problem before the problem occurs, in a case where the problem may occur later.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device comprises: a display operation part that displays a selection / operation screen for selecting a kind of a medium holding member that holds a medium in liquid-ejection motion and sets the kind of the medium holding member selected by a user; and a control part that stores selected-kind information showing the kind of the medium holding member set by the user and designated-kind information showing a kind of the medium holding member included in ejection-instruction information for instructing ejection motion, makes the display operation part display alarm information for alarming that the liquid-ejection motion is impossible when the selected-kind information is specific selected-kind information and when the designated-kind information is specific designated-kind information, and continues the liquid-ejection motion when the selected-kind information is the specific selected-kind information and when the designated-kind information is not the specific designated-kind information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Liquid ejection devices that form images by ejecting liquid onto a medium based on image formation instructions from an information processing device or the like are known. Such devices are called inkjet printers or the like that are equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid onto the medium. In recent years, inkjet printers that can use fabrics such as clothing as the medium have become known. Such printers are called "DTG printers (Direct To Garment)."

[0003] As an example of a device for forming an image on a medium, a technology is known that allows the user to choose whether to continue or stop the image formation operation when the medium size set on the device side does not match the medium size specified in the image formation instruction (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if the media settings on the device side do not match the media specified in the image formation instruction, if the user selects to continue the image formation operation, the image formation operation can be continued without being stopped, thereby improving user convenience.

[0005] However, there are various media settings, and depending on the combination of the media settings on the device and the media settings specified in the image formation instruction, continuing the image formation operation may not produce the desired results. In conventional technology, when the media settings do not match, the user must determine whether the desired results can be produced and switch between continuing or stopping the operation each time an image formation instruction is issued, which reduces user convenience.

[0006] In other words, with conventional technology, in a situation where image formation operations can be performed even if the settings on the device and the settings in the operation instructions do not match, if the image formation operations are continued, there is a possibility that an operational abnormality will occur due to a change in the execution environment, and it is difficult to avoid the abnormality in advance.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device that can deal with problems that may arise later before they occur. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problem, one aspect of the present invention is a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto a medium, comprising: a plurality of types of medium holding members that are members for holding the medium and have different sizes or shapes depending on the type of the medium; In the liquid ejection operation the medium holding member a display operation unit that displays a selection operation screen for selecting the type of medium holding member and sets the type of the medium holding member selected by the user; and a control unit that stores selection type information indicating the type of the medium holding member set by the user and designated type information indicating the type of the medium holding member included in ejection instruction information that instructs the ejection operation, and when the selection type information is specific selection type information and the designated type information is specific designated type information, causes the display operation unit to display warning information that notifies that the liquid ejection operation is impossible; and when the selection type information is specific selection type information and the designated type information is not specific designated type information, causes the display operation unit to continue the liquid ejection operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, if there is a possibility that a problem will occur later, it is possible to deal with the problem before it occurs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the main parts of the internal structure of the liquid ejection device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a lifting mechanism for a transport platen according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a control unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing a processing flow according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of display modes of a display unit / operation unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing examples of warning displays displayed on the display unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An inkjet printer 10 as an embodiment of a liquid ejection device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [Outline of Inkjet Printer 10] As shown in Fig. 1, an inkjet printer 10 holds a carriage 100 on a slide rail 104 that is integral with a metal plate. The carriage 100 is driven by a main scanning motor 105 to move back and forth in the main scanning direction via a timing belt 102 that is stretched between a driving pulley 106 and a driven pulley 107. In this specification, the main scanning direction refers to the Y direction shown in Fig. 1 etc.

[0013] The carriage 100 is equipped with a recording head 118 consisting of four liquid ejection heads that eject ink droplets of each color, for example, yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), black (K), white 1 (W1), and white 2 (W2). The recording head 118 is equipped with a nozzle surface having a plurality of ink ejection orifices (nozzles) formed therein, the nozzle array of which is arranged in a direction (sub-scanning direction) perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the ink ejection orifices are directed downward (toward the transport platen 101). In this specification, the sub-scanning direction refers to the X direction shown in FIG. 1 etc.

[0014] Although the print head 118 mounted on the carriage 100 has a plurality of nozzle rows that eject ink droplets of each color, this does not limit the configuration of the print head 118 applicable to the inkjet printer 10. For example, print heads 118 that independently eject ink droplets of each color may also be used. Furthermore, the number of colors applied as ink droplets and the arrangement order of the print heads 118 are not limited.

[0015] The recording head 118 may be equipped with a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, or a thermal actuator that uses an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor to change the phase of a liquid due to film boiling as pressure generating means for ejecting the droplets. In addition to these, a shape memory alloy actuator that uses a metal phase change due to a temperature change, or an electrostatic actuator that uses electrostatic force may also be used as pressure generating means. Regardless of the configuration, it is sufficient if the specified amount of droplets of the specified color can be ejected at an externally commanded ejection timing.

[0016] The inkjet printer 10 is provided with an encoder scale 103 with slits formed therein, which is arranged along the main scanning direction. The carriage 100 is provided with an encoder sensor 117 that detects the slits in the encoder scale 103. These components form a linear encoder 131 for detecting the position of the carriage 100 in the main scanning direction.

[0017] The inkjet printer 10 also includes a transport platen 101 as a medium holding member that holds the recording medium 108. The transport platen 101 is moved back and forth in the sub-scanning direction by a transport mechanism while holding the recording medium 108. At this time, the transport platen 101 moves the recording medium 108 back and forth at a position facing the recording head 118.

[0018] The recording medium 108 may be of any type as long as it can be held and transported by the transport platen 101. Therefore, for example, it may be fabric such as clothing.

[0019] The transport platen 101 moves in the sub-scanning direction (X direction) using a sub-scanning motor 111 that constitutes a transport mechanism as a drive source. A timing belt 114 is stretched between a transport drive pulley 112 that is provided on the rotation shaft of the sub-scanning motor 111 and a transport roller pulley 113 that is provided at a position separated therefrom. A transport roller 109 is connected to the rotation shaft of the transport roller pulley 113. With this configuration, when the sub-scanning motor 111 is driven to rotate, the drive force rotates the transport roller 109, thereby moving the transport platen 101.

[0020] The inkjet printer 10 also has an encoder wheel 115 with a slit formed therein, which is coaxial with the transport roller 109. An encoder sensor 116 is also provided to detect the slit in the encoder wheel 115. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the encoder sensor 116 is provided on one of the side plates that make up the housing of the inkjet printer 10. These components form a wheel encoder 132 for detecting the position of the transport platen 101 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0021] The transport platen 101 is of a flatbed type, and is transported horizontally in the sub-scanning direction via a timing belt 119 stretched between a transport roller 109 and a tension roller 110 .

[0022] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a platen lifting mechanism that enables height adjustment of the transport platen 101. The height of the transport platen 101 corresponds to the position of the uppermost surface of the transport platen 101 in the Z direction. By adjusting the distance from the ejection openings on the lower surface of the print head 118 to the upper surface of the transport platen 101 to an optimal value, the quality of image formation can be maintained and improved. For this reason, it is important to accurately adjust the position of the transport platen 101 in the Z direction.

[0023] There are various types of transport platens 101 to choose from, and the dimensions and shapes in the transport direction vary depending on the type. The user can select any transport platen 101 according to the type of recording medium 108 and attach it to the inkjet printer 10.

[0024] After the transport platen 101 is attached to the inkjet printer 10, the gap is adjusted by a gap adjustment mechanism, as shown in Fig. 2. The gap adjustment mechanism has a gear 1011 that moves the transport platen 101 up and down (Z direction), and a platen lift motor 1012 that moves the gear 1011 up and down. When the platen lift motor 1012 rotates, the gear 1011 moves up and down in response to the rotation, and the gear 1011 is moved to and held at any position in the up and down direction of the transport platen 101.

[0025] When adjusting the gap between the liquid ejection ports of the recording head 118 and the transport platen 101, the gap sensor 134 shown in FIG. 1 measures the distance from the upper surface of the transport platen 101, and operates the platen lift motor 1012 to achieve a predetermined distance. At this time, the measurement position on the upper surface of the transport platen 101 differs depending on the type of transport platen 101. For example, the transport platen 101 is moved in the sub-scanning direction so that measurement is performed at the most appropriate position depending on the size and shape of the transport platen 101, and then the gap is measured and set.

[0026] In this specification, the gap between the upper surface of the transport platen 101 and the ejection portion formed by the ejection ports also corresponds to the height of the transport platen 101. Therefore, gap adjustment may also be referred to as height adjustment.

[0027] It is also possible to perform an image forming operation in the inkjet printer 10 without limiting the type of transport platen 101. In this case, the platen height is adjusted based on the height of the center position of the transport platen 101 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0028] [Control block configuration] Next, the configuration of the control block provided in the inkjet printer 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 120 of the inkjet printer 10 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a RAM 123, an NVRAM 124, and an ASIC 125.

[0029] The CPU 121 is connected to an operation panel 150 that serves as a display operation unit for inputting and displaying information required for the inkjet printer 10, and controls the entire inkjet printer 10. The CPU 121 also has the function of controlling the transport operation (movement in the sub-scanning direction) of the transport platen 101, the movement operation of the carriage 100 in the main scanning direction, and the liquid ejection operation by the recording head 118.

[0030] The ROM 122 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores programs and other fixed data executed by the CPU 121. The programs stored in the ROM 122 are executed by the arithmetic processing function of the CPU 121, thereby forming a program control unit, which will be described later.

[0031] The RAM 123 temporarily stores image data used in the image forming process, etc. The RAM 123 also functions as a work area when the program control unit is executed.

[0032] The NVRAM 124 is a rewritable non-volatile storage medium for retaining data even when the inkjet printer 10 is powered off.

[0033] The ASIC 125 processes various types of signal processing for image data, image processing such as sorting, and input / output signals for controlling the entire device.

[0034] The control unit 120 also includes a host interface (I / F) 133 , a discharge control unit 127 , a main scanning motor drive unit 128 , a gap adjustment unit 129 , a sub scanning motor drive unit 130 , and an input / output (I / O) unit 126 .

[0035] The host I / F 133 serves to send and receive data and control signals to and from the host side, such as the printer driver 501 of the external device 500 .

[0036] The ejection control unit 127 generates a drive waveform for driving the recording head 118 , and outputs image data for selectively driving the pressure generating means of the recording head 118 and various data associated therewith to the head driver 141 .

[0037] The main scanning motor drive unit 128 drives the main scanning motor 105 .

[0038] The gap adjustment unit 129 instructs a platen lifting motor 1012, which lifts and lowers the transport platen 101, to perform gap adjustment. The transport platen 101 is detected by an LED sensor or the like, and the gap with the nozzle openings is adjusted.

[0039] The sub-scanning motor driving unit 130 drives the sub-scanning motor 111 that moves the cassette 200 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0040] The I / O unit 126 receives detection signals from various sensors required for the operation of the inkjet printer 10 .

[0041] The control unit 120 receives an image formation instruction related to image formation processing from a printer driver 501 included in the external device 500 via a cable or a network at the host I / F 133. The image formation instruction is generated by the printer driver 501 of the external device 500 that has a host function of, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), an image reading device such as an image scanner, or an imaging device such as a digital camera.

[0042] In the control unit 120 that has received the image formation instruction, the CPU 121 reads and analyzes the image formation instruction from the receive buffer included in the host I / F 133. Then, depending on the analysis results, the ASIC 125 performs the necessary image processing, data rearrangement, etc., and transfers the data to the discharge control unit 127. The discharge control unit 127 then outputs image data and drive waveforms to the head driver 141 at the required timing. Note that the dot pattern data for image output may be generated by storing font data in the ROM 122, for example, or the image data may be expanded into bitmap data by the host-side printer driver 501 and transferred to the device. Here, it is assumed that this is performed by the printer driver 501, for example.

[0043] Therefore, the image formation instruction corresponds to the ejection instruction information.

[0044] The drive waveform generation unit of the discharge control unit 127 is composed of a D / A converter that performs D / A conversion on drive pulse pattern data stored in the ROM 122 and read out by the CPU 121, an amplifier, etc. Then, it outputs a drive waveform composed of one drive pulse or multiple drive pulses to the head driver 141. The head driver 141 drives the recording head 118 based on image data (dot pattern data) corresponding to one line of the recording head 118 that is input serially. To this end, the head driver 141 selectively applies drive pulses that compose the drive waveform provided by the drive waveform generation unit of the discharge control unit 127 to the pressure generating means of the recording head 118.

[0045] The head driver 141 includes, for example, a shift register that inputs serial data such as a clock signal and image data, and a latch circuit that latches the register value of the shift register with a latch signal. It also includes a level conversion circuit (level shifter) that changes the level of the output value of the latch circuit, and an analog switch array (switch means) whose on / off is controlled by this level shifter. Functionally, one example is when a required drive pulse included in the drive waveform is selectively applied to the pressure generating means of the recording head 118 by controlling the on / off of the analog switch array.

[0046] The image formation instruction includes information indicating the type of medium. In the inkjet printer 10 according to this embodiment, the transport platen 101 can be selected and used depending on the type of medium. Therefore, the information indicating the type of medium included in the image formation instruction corresponds to information indicating the type of transport platen 101 to be used.

[0047] Possible types of transport platen 101 selectable in the inkjet printer 10 according to this embodiment are "Standard," "Shoe," "Hat," "Sleeve," "Face covering," and "Other." In this specification, the setting (type) of transport platen 101 selected by the user in the inkjet printer 10 is referred to as the "printer platen setting." Furthermore, the setting related to the type of transport platen 101 included in the image formation instruction is referred to as the "data platen setting."

[0048] Of the above selectable types of transport platen 101, when the type of transport platen 101 selected by the user in the inkjet printer 10 is "Other," the image forming operation (printing operation) is executed regardless of the data platen setting included in the image formation instruction. In other words, when the printer platen setting is "Other," the inkjet printer 10 basically executes the image forming operation even if the data platen setting and the printer platen setting do not match. Note that when the printer platen setting is other than "Other," the inkjet printer 10 basically stops the image forming operation if the data platen setting and the printer platen setting do not match.

[0049] [Operation flow] Next, the flow of operations of the inkjet printer 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6. When the inkjet printer 10 performs an image forming operation (printing) with the transport platen 101 selected and attached by the user, the inkjet printer 10 first performs height adjustment processing for the attached transport platen 101. Figure 5 is an example of a screen requesting the execution of height adjustment processing, and is an example of a print instruction screen 151 displayed on the operation panel 150.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the print instruction screen 151 includes a print start button 1511 and a height adjustment execution button 1522. When the user presses these buttons, the corresponding process is executed. Note that, in a situation where it is necessary to execute height adjustment processing for the transport platen 101, if the height adjustment processing has not been executed, the print start button 1511 is in an inoperable state, as shown in FIG. 5(a). Note that in FIG. 5(a), the inoperable print start button 1511 is displayed in dark gray.

[0051] Furthermore, the height adjustment process must be performed periodically. Therefore, the height adjustment process is subject to timer control so that it is performed at predetermined time intervals. When the time comes to perform the height adjustment process, even if you try to perform an image formation operation (printing) next, the print instruction screen 151 displayed on the operation panel 150 has the print start button 1511 in an inoperable state, as shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0052] First, in S401, the process loops until the "height adjustment execution button 1522" is pressed (S401: NO). In other words, when a state is reached in which execution of the height adjustment process is required, the inkjet printer 10 will not perform an image formation operation unless the height adjustment process is first executed.

[0053] When the "Execute height adjustment button 1522" is pressed in S401 (S401: YES), a platen selection screen 152 is displayed on the operation panel 150 as a selection operation screen for selecting the type of transport platen 101 attached to the inkjet printer 10 (S402). An example of the platen selection screen 152 is shown in FIG. 5(b). The type of transport platen 101 selected in S402 is stored in a memory area provided in the control unit 120 as "selection type information."

[0054] In S402, when the type of transport platen 101 is selected and the "Back" button is operated, a height adjustment process is executed (S403). In S403, the gap adjustment unit 129 operates the platen lifting motor 1012 while measuring the gap between the transport platen 101 and the ejection head, and the process is repeated until the position of the transport platen 101 reaches a predetermined position (S404: NO).

[0055] When the height adjustment process is completed (S404: YES), the position of the transport platen 101 is adjusted to form an appropriate gap. Then, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the print instruction screen 151 is displayed again, and the print start button 1511 is ready to be pressed.

[0056] The inkjet printer 10 may receive an image formation instruction from the external device 500 at any timing during steps S401 to S404 when the height adjustment process for the transport platen 101 is performed. The inkjet printer 10 stores and holds information indicating the type of the transport platen 101 included in the image formation instruction as "designated type information" in a storage area provided in the control unit 120.

[0057] 5(c), when the print start button 1511, which has now become operable, is pressed (S405: YES), the print process begins. First, it is determined whether the selection type information related to the transport platen 101 stored as selection type information is "Other" as the "specific selection type information" (S406). If the selection type information is "Other" (S406: YES), the inkjet printer 10 operates to continue the print process without stopping, even if the type of the transport platen 101 that has been set does not match the type of the transport platen 101 indicated by the "specified type information."

[0058] In this way, if the type of transport platen 101 attached to the inkjet printer 10 is not set to a specific type, but is set to continue the ejection operation based on the image formation instruction, the printing process can be continued while switching between various transport platens 101. In other words, even if the type of attached transport platen 101 does not match the type of transport platen 101 specified in the image formation instruction, the ejection operation based on the image formation instruction continues. As a result, if an image formation result acceptable to the user can be obtained, the image formation operation (printing process) continues, thereby improving user convenience.

[0059] On the other hand, if the setting of the transport platen 101 in the inkjet printer 10 is set to "Other" and continuation of the printing process is prioritized, and even if no operational problems occur at a certain point, it is possible that a problem may occur later. Therefore, it is advisable to determine whether or not a situation has arisen in which an unexpected problem may occur for the user, and to temporarily create a state in which the user can decide whether or not to continue the ejection operation. In other words, regardless of the type of transport platen 101, if the image formation instruction indicates that there is no problem in continuing the printing process, the printing process will be continued, and when an image formation instruction including a specific data platen setting (designated type information) is received, the user can decide whether or not to continue the printing process.

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the selected type information is "Other" (specific designated type information), the image forming operation is not continued unconditionally, but the content of the designated type information is determined (S408). In S408, if the designated type information is "Face covering" as the specific designated type information (S408: YES), a warning screen 153 such as that shown in Fig. 6 is displayed on the operation panel 150 (S409).

[0061] The warning screen 153 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a screen that displays warning information informing the user that the print process cannot be continued. For example, the warning screen 153 may prompt the user to review the settings of the transport platen 101 (printer platen settings) on the inkjet printer 10, such as by displaying a message like "Warning! The combination of the printer platen setting and the data platen setting is not printable. Please check." In other words, for a user who intends to continue image formation operations in the inkjet printer 10, if a situation arises in which an unexpected malfunction may occur, the user is clearly notified of the possibility of "discharge operation being disabled." In other words, convenience can be improved by displaying information that prompts the user to reconsider whether to continue the discharge operation under certain conditions.

[0062] In S408, if the designated type information is not "Face covering" (S408: NO), printing is executed (S410).

[0063] As described above, in the inkjet printer 10, even if the selected type information and the specified type information do not match, the printing operation can be continued if the setting is such that the printing operation continues without stopping (the "Other" setting).

[0064] Furthermore, if the selected type information and the specified type information do not match and the selected type information is specific (for example, face covering), the image formation results desired by the user may not be obtained unless the height of the transport platen 101 is adjusted again. When there is a possibility that a situation like this will arise in which printing cannot be continued later, a warning screen 153 can be displayed to the user before the continued printing process is executed, urging the user to review the settings. This makes it possible to perform high-quality image formation operations while improving user convenience.

[0065] If the selected type information is not "Other" as the specific selected type information in S406 (S406: NO), it is then determined whether the selected type information matches the specified type information (S407). If the selected type information matches the specified type information in S407 (S407: YES), printing is executed (S410).

[0066] Furthermore, in S407, if the selected type information does not match the specified type information (S407: NO), a warning screen 153 such as that shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the operation panel 150 (S409).

[0067] The effects of the inkjet printer 10 according to the present embodiment described above will now be described. The user can attach any transport platen 101 to the inkjet printer 10. Furthermore, there are cases where image formation can be performed even if the selected type information included in the image formation instruction input from the external device 500 does not match the specified type information of the attached transport platen 101. Therefore, if the user wishes to continue the image formation operation even if the selected type information does not match the specified type information, it is possible to control the inkjet printer 100 so that the image formation operation does not stop, as long as specific selected type information that makes this possible is set as the selected type information.

[0068] However, if the user changes the type of the transport platen 101 at any time, and the changed transport platen 101 has specific designated type information, the height may not be adjusted accurately in the periodically executed height adjustment operation. When the inkjet printer 10 reaches a state where such an unexpected abnormality may occur, the system is controlled to display a warning screen 153 in advance before the abnormality is detected.

[0069] This allows the user to be prompted to review the settings related to the transport platen 101 or to change the designated type information. As a result, it is possible to avoid a loss of convenience for the user due to the process being interrupted when an abnormality is detected after the image formation operation has started. In addition, it is easier to prepare the inkjet printer 10 for continued operation, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10: Inkjet printer 100: Carriage 101: Transfer platen 108: Recording media 118: Recording head 119: Timing belt 120: Control unit 150: Operation panel 151:Print instruction screen 152: Platen selection screen 153: Warning screen 200: Cassette 500: External device 501: Printer driver 1011: Gear 1012: Platen lift motor 1511: Print start button 1522: Height adjustment execution button [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0072] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-095482

Claims

1. A liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto a medium, a plurality of types of medium holding members that are members for holding the medium and have different sizes or shapes depending on the type of the medium; a display operation unit that displays a selection operation screen for selecting the type of the medium holding member in the liquid ejection operation and sets the type of the medium holding member selected by the user; storing selected type information indicating the type of the medium holding member set by the user and designated type information indicating the type of the medium holding member included in ejection instruction information instructing the ejection operation; When the selected type information is specific selected type information and the specified type information is specific specified type information, warning information notifying that the liquid cannot be ejected is displayed on the display operation unit, a control unit that continues the liquid ejection operation when the selected type information is specific selected type information and the specified type information is not specific specified type information; A liquid ejection device having the above structure.

2. When the selection type information is not the specific selection type information and the designated type information does not match the selection type information, warning information is displayed on the display operation unit. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

3. Even if the selected type information is specific selected type information, if the designated type information is not specific designated type information, the liquid ejection operation is continued. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting a gap between a discharge unit that discharges the liquid and the medium holding member, and the discharge operation is not performed unless the gap is adjusted; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

5. The gap adjustment must be performed at regular time intervals in order for the ejection operation to be performed. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4 .

Images