Image recording device

Abstract

To prevent occurrence of a situation that ink is used up in the middle of recording an image on one recording medium and reduce amounts of ink which is wasted.SOLUTION: A control part, when determining that residual amounts of ink are below predetermined amounts M at the time of receiving a recording starting instruction (S3:YES), does not start image recording, when calculated residual amounts C of ink are less than necessary amounts N of ink (S5:YES). Further, the control part, when determining that the residual amounts of ink are not below the predetermined amounts M at the time of receiving the recording starting instruction (S3:NO), starts the image recording; and when determining that the residual amounts of ink are below the predetermined amounts M and when determining that the calculated residual amounts C of ink are below a threshold T during the image recording, interrupts the image recording.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording device that records an image using ink supplied from a removable ink cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printing device (image recording device) that records an image by ejecting ink supplied from a removable ink cartridge onto paper. This inkjet printing device is equipped with an optical unit (remaining ink amount sensor) that optically detects the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge. When the optical unit detects that the amount of ink remaining is below a predetermined amount, it begins counting the number of ejected dots, and when a predetermined first number of dots have been ejected, it determines that the remaining ink is zero (empty) and stops printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-264356 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the image recording on a single sheet of paper is interrupted, the quality of the recorded image may deteriorate. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid interrupting image recording due to the ink in the ink cartridge running out while recording an image on a single sheet of paper.

[0005] Here, consider a case where the threshold for determining whether the ink level is empty, calculated based on the ink ejection rate after the ink level sensor detects that the ink level is below a predetermined level, is set to an amount of ink sufficient to coat the entire surface of a sheet of standard-sized paper, such as A4 size. In this case, if the ink level is not determined to be empty before starting image recording on the standard-sized paper, even if the ink level falls below the threshold during image recording on the standard-sized paper, the ink will not run out during image recording on the single sheet of standard-sized paper. However, even in this case, when recording an image on paper larger than the standard size, such as long paper, the ink may run out during image recording, even if the ink level is not determined to be empty before starting image recording.

[0006] Furthermore, when recording an image on paper larger than a standard size, there is a possibility that the ink will run out during image recording, even though the ink level sensor has not yet detected that the ink level is below a predetermined level before image recording begins. However, if the user is required to replace the ink cartridge with a new one before recording an image on paper larger than a standard size, a large amount of ink will be wasted.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that is less likely to run out of ink in the middle of recording an image on one sheet of recording medium, and that can reduce ink waste. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image recording device of the present invention comprises a cartridge mounting section into which an ink cartridge can be detachably mounted, a remaining ink amount sensor capable of detecting whether the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting section is below a predetermined amount, a recording section having a nozzle for ejecting ink supplied from the ink cartridge and for recording an image on a recording medium using the ink ejected from the nozzle, a memory, and a control section. the control unit executes a detected remaining amount determination process that determines whether the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount based on a detection signal from the remaining amount sensor; a discharge amount integration process that, if it determines in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount during image recording on a recording medium by the recording unit, integrates the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles in accordance with the image recording after it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount; an integrated value storage process that stores in the memory an integrated value of the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles integrated in the discharge amount integration process; and a calculated remaining amount determination process that determines whether a calculated remaining ink amount, which is the remaining ink amount calculated using the integrated value stored in the memory, is equal to or less than a threshold value that is less than the predetermined amount, and (a) in the detected remaining amount determination process, receives a recording start instruction to start recording of the image on one sheet of recording medium. (b) if it is determined that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving the recording start instruction is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, an ink amount comparison process is executed to compare the calculated remaining ink amount with a required ink amount, which is the amount of ink required for recording the image in response to the recording start instruction, and if in the ink amount comparison process the calculated remaining ink amount is less than the required ink amount, the image recording in response to the recording start instruction is not started; (b) if in the detected remaining amount judgment process it is determined that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving the recording start instruction is not equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the image recording in response to the recording start instruction is started; and if during the image recording in response to the recording start instruction the detected remaining amount judgment process determines that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount and the calculated remaining ink amount judgment process determines that the calculated remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, a recording interruption process is executed to interrupt the image recording in response to the recording start instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] If the calculated remaining ink amount is less than the required ink amount, if image recording is started, the ink will run out halfway through recording on one recording medium. According to the image recording device of the present invention, if the remaining ink amount when receiving a recording start instruction is less than a predetermined amount, image recording is not started if the calculated remaining ink amount is less than the required ink amount, thereby making it less likely that ink will run out halfway through recording on one recording medium. On the other hand, if the remaining ink amount is more than the predetermined amount, even if ink will run out halfway through image recording in response to the recording start instruction, having the user replace the ink cartridge with a new one before recording begins would waste a large amount of ink. According to the image recording device of the present invention, if the remaining ink amount when receiving a recording start instruction is more than the predetermined amount, image recording is started regardless of whether ink will run out halfway through image recording in response to the recording start instruction. Therefore, ink waste can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the printer shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer shown in FIG. [Figure 4] This is information to be displayed on the display, where (a) shows the first ink remaining amount information and (b) shows the second ink remaining amount information. [Figure 5] 2 is a first portion of a flowchart showing the operation of the printer shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a second part of a flowchart showing the operation of the printer shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a third part of a flowchart showing the operation of the printer shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A printer 100 (corresponding to the "image recording device" of the present invention) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction shown in Figure 1 are the up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the printer 100.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printer 100 mainly comprises a housing 100a, a feed tray 1, a transport mechanism 2, a cutter 3, a carriage 4, a head 5, a moving mechanism 6, a paper discharge tray 7, a cartridge mounting unit 8, and a control unit 9.

[0013] The feed tray 1 is disposed inside the housing 100a below the head 5. The feed tray 1 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 100a in the front-rear direction through an opening 101 formed in the front wall of the housing 100a.

[0014] The feed tray 1 can accommodate the roll R and cut sheets Kp. The feed tray 1 may be able to accommodate both the roll R and cut sheets Kp at the same time, or may be able to selectively accommodate either the roll R or cut sheets Kp. The feed tray 1 has a roll support section 11 that supports the roll R, and a placement surface 12 on which the cut sheets Kp are placed.

[0015] The roll R is a long sheet of paper wound in a roll shape around the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical core member Rc. The cut sheets Kp are shorter than the long sheets of paper that make up the roll R, and are standard sizes such as A4 and B5. The largest size of the cut sheets Kp that can be used in the printer 100 of this embodiment is A4 size paper.

[0016] The conveying mechanism 2 includes a feeding roller 21 , a pair of intermediate rollers 22 , a pair of conveying rollers 23 , a pair of paper discharge rollers 24 , and a guide member 25 .

[0017] The feed roller 21 feeds roll paper Rp unwound from the roll R supported by the roll support section 11 or cut paper Kp placed on the placement surface 12 from the feed tray 1. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between roll paper Rp and cut paper Kp, they will be referred to as "paper P."

[0018] The feed roller 21 is rotated by the drive of a feed motor 21a (see FIG. 3). When the feed motor 21a is driven under the control of the control unit 9, the feed roller 21 rotates, and a conveying force is applied from the front to the rear to the paper P in contact with the feed roller 21. This causes the paper P to be fed out of the feed tray 1. The rear wall 15 provided at the rear end of the feed tray 1 is inclined so that the upper end is located further rearward than the lower end. Therefore, the paper P fed out of the feed tray 1 is directed diagonally upward.

[0019] The intermediate roller pair 22 is composed of a drive roller that rotates when driven by an intermediate motor 22a (see FIG. 3), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. When the intermediate motor 22a is driven under the control of the control unit 9, the intermediate roller pair 22 rotates while sandwiching the paper P, thereby transporting the paper P. The intermediate roller pair 22 is located above the rear end of the feed tray 1. The intermediate roller pair 22 sandwiches and transports the paper P upward, the paper P being sent out from the feed tray 1 by the feed roller 21 and heading diagonally upward. A guide member 25 is located above the intermediate roller pair 22. The guide member 25 guides the paper P transported upward by the intermediate roller pair 22 forward.

[0020] The conveying roller pair 23 is composed of a drive roller that rotates when driven by a conveying motor 23a (see FIG. 3), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. The paper discharge roller pair 24 is composed of a drive roller that rotates when driven by a paper discharge motor 24a (see FIG. 3), and a driven roller that rotates along with the drive roller. When the conveying motor 23a and the paper discharge motor 24a are driven under the control of the control unit 9, the conveying roller pair 23 and the paper discharge roller pair 24 rotate while sandwiching the paper P to convey the paper P. The conveying roller pair 23 is located behind the head 5, and the paper discharge roller pair 24 is located in front of the head 5. The conveying roller pair 23 conveys the paper P guided forward by the guide member 25 forward. The paper discharge roller pair 24 sandwiches the paper P conveyed forward by the conveying roller pair 23 and conveys the paper P to the paper discharge tray 7.

[0021] The cutter 3 is located between the rear end of the feed tray 1 and the pair of intermediate rollers 22. The cutter 3 is made up of, for example, a disk-shaped rotary blade and a driven blade. The rotary blade of the cutter 3 is rotated by the driving of a cutting motor 3a (see FIG. 3), and the cutter 3 moves back and forth in the left-right direction. The roll paper Rp that has been unwound from the roll R and transported is cut widthwise by the cutter 3 when the cutting motor 3a is driven under the control of the control unit 9.

[0022] The head 5 (corresponding to the "recording unit" of the present invention) includes a plurality of nozzles 51 (see FIG. 2) formed on its underside, and a driver IC 52 (see FIG. 3). When the driver IC 52 is driven under the control of the control unit 9, ink is ejected from the nozzles 51, and an image is recorded on the paper P when the paper P, transported by the transport mechanism 2, passes through an image recording position facing the underside of the head 5. The head 5 is mounted on a carriage 4.

[0023] The movement mechanism 6 has two guide rails 61, 62 and a carriage motor 63 (see FIG. 3). The two guide rails 61, 62 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and extend in the left-right direction. The carriage 4 is arranged to straddle the two guide rails 61, 62. The carriage 4 is connected to the carriage motor 63 via a belt (not shown) or the like. When the carriage motor 63 is driven under the control of the control unit 9, the carriage 4 moves in the left-right direction (scanning direction) along the guide rails 61, 62.

[0024] The paper output tray 7 is disposed in front of the head 5 within the housing 100a and above the feed tray 1. The paper output tray 7 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 100a in the front-to-rear direction through an opening 102 formed in the front wall of the housing 100a. The paper P on which an image has been recorded by the head 5 is received in the paper output tray 7.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the cartridge mounting unit 8 is provided on one side (the right side) of the paper output tray 7 in the left-right direction, and further forward than the movement mechanism 6 in the front-to-rear direction. Four ink cartridges 10, each storing ink of the colors black, yellow, cyan, and magenta, can be detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 8. Ink is supplied to the head 5 from the ink cartridges 10 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 8 via a tube (not shown) or the like.

[0026] An opening 103 is formed on the front side (lower side in FIG. 2) of the housing 100a at a location facing the cartridge mounting portion 8. A cover 103a that can cover the opening 103 is attached to the housing 100a. The cover 103a can take a covering position that covers the opening 103, and an opening position that opens the opening 103. The ink cartridge 10 installed in the cartridge mounting portion 8 can be replaced by moving the cover 103a from the covering position to the opening position.

[0027] The cartridge mounting portion 8 is fitted with a remaining ink sensor 81 that can detect whether the remaining amount of ink in the mounted ink cartridge 10 is below a predetermined amount M. The remaining ink sensor 81 is, for example, an optical sensor of the light-emitting or transmission type that has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The ink cartridge 10 is made of a light-transmitting material. The remaining ink sensor 81 detects whether the remaining ink amount is below a predetermined amount M, for example, by detecting the ink level position in the ink cartridge 10. A remaining ink sensor 81 is provided for each of the four ink cartridges 10.

[0028] A cover sensor 82 (see FIG. 3) is also attached to the cartridge mounting portion 8. The cover sensor 82 outputs different detection signals when the cover 103a is in a covering position where it covers the opening 103 and when it is in an opening position where it opens the opening 103.

[0029] An example of an ink cartridge 10 will now be described. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a relatively small-capacity ink cartridge 10 is used. Specifically, the black ink cartridge 10 has a capacity of 10 ml, and the color ink cartridges 10 have a capacity of 5 ml. The predetermined amount M, which serves as the detection standard for the remaining ink amount sensor 81, is 1.7 ml for the black ink cartridge 10 and 0.6 ml for the color ink cartridges 10. As will be described later, when recording an image on large-size roll paper Rp larger than A4 size, 2.8 ml of ink may be required to record an image on one sheet of paper P. Therefore, there is a risk that the ink may run out during image recording on one sheet of paper P, even before the remaining ink amount sensor 81 detects that the remaining ink amount is below the predetermined amount M.

[0030] As will be described in detail later, the control unit 9 calculates the remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge 10 based on the cumulative amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 51 after it is detected that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M. Furthermore, it determines whether the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than a threshold value T. This threshold value T is 1.5 ml for the black ink cartridge 10 and 0.5 ml for the color ink cartridges 10. Here, as will be described later, the amount of ink required to solidly coat an A4-sized sheet of paper P is 0.49 ml. Therefore, if the calculated remaining ink amount C is not equal to or less than threshold value T before starting image recording on the A4-sized sheet of paper P, the ink will not run out during image recording on one A4-sized sheet of paper P, even if the remaining ink amount falls below threshold value T during image recording.

[0031] The control unit 9 controls the entire printer 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 9 is electrically connected to the feed motor 21a, intermediate motor 22a, transport motor 23a, paper discharge motor 24a, cutting motor 3a, driver IC 52, carriage motor 63, remaining amount sensor 81, cover sensor 82, display 95, operation button 96, etc.

[0032] The display 95 and operation buttons 96 are provided on the outer surface of the housing 100a. The display 95 displays various information related to the printer 100 to notify the user, and corresponds to the "notification unit" of the present invention. The notification unit may be a speaker. The operation buttons 96 accept instructions input from the user, and corresponds to the "reception unit" of the present invention. The reception unit may be a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

[0033] 3, the control unit 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 92, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 93, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 94, etc. The ROM 92 stores programs executed by the CPU 91 and the ASIC 94, various fixed data, etc. The RAM 93 temporarily stores data (image data, etc.) required when executing the programs, and corresponds to the "memory" of the present invention.

[0034] The control unit 9 may be configured such that only the CPU 91 performs various processes, or such that only the ASIC 94 performs various processes, or such that the CPU 91 and the ASIC 94 work together to perform various processes. The control unit 9 may be configured such that one CPU 91 performs processes independently, or such that multiple CPUs 91 share the processes. The control unit 9 may be configured such that one ASIC 94 performs processes independently, or such that multiple ASICs 94 share the processes.

[0035] The control unit 9 records an image on the paper P based on a recording instruction sent by a user from an external device (for example, a PC or a smartphone). Image recording is performed by executing a conveying process in which the conveying mechanism 2 conveys the paper P a predetermined distance at a time in the conveying direction, and a scanning process in which the movement mechanism 6 moves the carriage 4 in the scanning direction while ejecting ink from the multiple nozzles 51 of the head 5.

[0036] The control unit 9 receives a recording start instruction to start recording an image on one sheet of paper P. If the recording instruction sent from the user is to record images on multiple sheets of paper P, the control unit 9 receives the next recording start instruction after completing image recording on one sheet of paper P. The recording start instruction includes information regarding the size of the paper P on which the image is to be recorded.

[0037] The control unit 9 can calculate the required ink amount N, which is the amount of ink required to record an image related to the recording start command, from information about the size of the paper P included in the recording start command. In this embodiment, the required ink amount N is calculated based on the ratio between the area of a standard-sized paper P and the area of the paper P related to the recording start command. That is, for example, it is assumed that the amount of ink required to solidly apply ink to A4-sized paper P is stored in the ROM 92 as 0.49 ml. It is also assumed that the recording start command is to record an image on roll paper Rp, and the size of the paper P (roll paper Rp) is 297 mm wide and 1200 mm long. In this case, the area of the paper P related to the recording start command (width 297 mm x length 1200 mm = 356400 mm) is calculated as follows: 2 ) is the area of A4 size paper P (width 297mm x length 210mm = 62370mm 2 Therefore, the required ink volume N is 5.7 times the amount of ink required to solidly coat A4 size paper P (0.49 ml), or approximately 2.8 ml.

[0038] The required ink amount N is calculated based on the unit area (1 in 2 For example, the maximum amount of ink ejected per unit area is assumed to be 0.005 ml. If the size of the paper P related to the recording start command is the same as above, the area of the paper P related to the recording start command is approximately 552.4 in. 2 Therefore, the required ink volume N is 552.4 in 2 Multiplying this by the maximum amount of ink ejected per unit area (0.005 ml) gives us approximately 2.8 ml.

[0039] Furthermore, the required ink amount N may be calculated based on the recording resolution of the printer 100. For example, suppose the resolution in the scanning direction (widthwise direction of the paper P) is 600 dpi and the resolution in the transport direction (lengthwise direction of the paper P) is 300 dpi. Also, suppose the amount of ink per dot is 0.000000028 ml. If the size of the paper P related to the recording start command is the same as above, the number of dots formed in the widthwise direction of the paper P related to the recording start command is approximately 7015.7, and the number of dots formed in the lengthwise direction is approximately 14173.2. Therefore, the required ink amount N is calculated by multiplying the total number of dots formed on the paper P related to the recording start command (7015.7 x 14173.2) by the amount of ink per dot (0.000000028 ml), which is approximately 2.8 ml.

[0040] Also, a table that associates the amount of ink required when recording an image on a plurality of sizes of paper P with the amount of ink may be stored in ROM 92, and the table may be referenced to obtain the required amount of ink N. Furthermore, based on image data for image recording related to a recording start instruction, the amount of ink to be ejected from the nozzles 51 when recording an image related to that image data may be calculated and used as the required amount of ink N.

[0041] The control unit 9 executes a paper size determination process to determine whether the size of the paper P for image recording related to the recording start instruction is a large size (i.e., roll paper Rp) larger than the A4 size, which is the maximum size of cut paper Kp, based on information regarding the size of the paper P included in the recording start instruction.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 9 executes a detection remaining amount determination process based on the detection signal from the remaining amount sensor 81 to determine whether the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 10 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M.

[0043] Furthermore, if the control unit 9 determines in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M while the head 5 is recording an image on the paper P, it executes a discharge amount integration process that integrates the amount of ink discharged from the nozzles 51 according to the image recording after it has determined that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount M. The amount of ink discharged from the nozzles 51 is calculated, for example, by counting the number of times ink is discharged from the nozzles 51 and multiplying the number of discharges by the amount of ink discharged in one discharge. Note that if the amount of ink discharged in one discharge is variable, the calculation is performed using an average value or the like.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 9 executes an integrated value storage process to store the integrated value V of the ink ejection amount from the nozzles 51, which is calculated in the ejection amount integration process, in the RAM 93. The control unit 9 adds the ink ejection amount from the nozzles 51 to the integrated value V stored in the RAM 93 each time the control unit 9 executes the scanning process once. If the control unit 9 detects that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced using a method described below, it resets the integrated value V stored in the RAM 93.

[0045] Additionally, the control unit 9 calculates the remaining ink amount (calculated remaining ink amount C) in the ink cartridge 10 using the integrated value V stored in RAM 93. Since the integrated value V is the amount of ink ejected after the remaining ink amount reaches a predetermined amount M, the remaining ink amount in the ink cartridge 10 can be calculated by subtracting the integrated value V from the predetermined amount M. In other words, calculated remaining ink amount C = predetermined amount M - integrated value V. The control unit 9 then executes a calculated remaining ink amount determination process to determine whether the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than a threshold value T that is less than the predetermined amount M.

[0046] In addition, when the control unit 9 determines in the paper size determination process that the size of the paper P for image recording is large, it determines whether the remaining ink amount at the time of accepting the recording start instruction is less than or equal to a predetermined amount M through the detected remaining amount determination process.

[0047] Furthermore, if the control unit 9 determines in the detected remaining ink determination process that the remaining ink amount at the time of accepting the recording instruction is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M, it executes an ink amount comparison process that compares the calculated remaining ink amount C with a required ink amount N, which is the amount of ink required to record the image in accordance with the recording start instruction. If the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N in the ink amount comparison process, image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction will not start until the ink cartridge 10 is replaced. If the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or greater than the required ink amount N in the ink amount comparison process, image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction will start.

[0048] Furthermore, if the control unit 9 determines in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining amount of ink at the time of receiving the recording start instruction is not equal to or less than the predetermined amount M, it starts image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction. Then, if the detected remaining amount determination process determines that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount M during image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction, and if the calculated remaining ink amount determination process determines that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than the threshold value T, it executes recording interruption processing to interrupt image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction.

[0049] Furthermore, if the control unit 9 determines in the paper size determination process that the size of the paper P for image recording is not large, it starts image recording in response to the recording start command. Then, if the detected remaining amount determination process determines that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M during image recording in response to the recording start command, and if the calculated remaining ink amount determination process determines that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than a threshold value T, after image recording on one sheet of paper P in response to the recording start command has been completed, it will not start image recording in response to the next recording start command until the ink cartridge 10 is replaced.

[0050] If the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N during the ink amount comparison process, the control unit 9 executes a first notification process, which displays first remaining ink amount information 98 on the display 95 to indicate that the remaining ink is insufficient, as shown in FIG. 4(a). The first remaining ink amount information 98 includes the message "Large size paper cannot be printed." In other words, the first remaining ink amount information 98 includes information that the remaining ink is insufficient to perform image recording in accordance with the recording start command (i.e., image recording on large size paper P). The first remaining ink amount information 98 also includes the message "A4 size printing is possible." In other words, the first remaining ink amount information 98 includes information that image recording on paper P smaller than the paper P used in image recording in accordance with the recording start command (i.e., A4 size paper P) is possible.

[0051] After executing the first notification process, if the operation button 96 receives an instruction to cancel the recording start instruction (cancellation instruction), the control unit 9 controls the display 95 to end the display of the first ink remaining amount information 98.

[0052] When the control unit 9 executes the recording interruption process, it executes a second notification process in which second ink remaining amount information 99 indicating that the remaining ink is low is displayed on the display 95, as shown in Fig. 4(b). After executing the second notification process, if the control unit 9 receives a cancel instruction via the operation button 96, it controls the display 95 so that the second ink remaining amount information 99 continues to be displayed.

[0053] The control unit 9 also detects whether the ink cartridges 10 installed in the cartridge mounting unit 8 have been replaced based on detection signals from the remaining ink sensors 81 and the cover sensor 82. Specifically, the control unit 9 detects that the ink cartridges 10 have been replaced when the detection signals from the remaining ink sensors 81 corresponding to all of the ink cartridges 10 indicate that the remaining ink amount is greater than a predetermined amount M, and the detection signal from the cover sensor 82 indicates that the cover 103a is in the covering position covering the opening 103. In other words, the remaining ink sensors 81 and the cover sensor 82 function as the "replacement detection unit" of the present invention. The control unit 9 may also detect whether the ink cartridges 10 have been replaced based on detection signals from either the remaining ink sensors 81 or the cover sensor 82.

[0054] Next, an example of the operation performed by the printer 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0055] First, the control unit 9 determines whether or not a recording start instruction to start recording an image on one sheet of paper P has been received (S1). The determination in S1 is repeated until it is determined that a recording start instruction has been received. Then, if it is determined that a recording start instruction has been received (S1: YES), the control unit 9 determines whether or not the size of the paper P for image recording related to the recording start instruction is large, that is, larger than A4 size (S2). If it is determined that the size is not large (S2: NO), the process proceeds to S26, which will be described later.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink cartridge is large size (S2: YES), the control unit 9 determines whether or not there is any ink cartridge 10 corresponding to the color to be used in the image recording related to the recording start command that has a remaining ink amount of a predetermined amount M or less (S3). If it is determined that there is no ink cartridge 10 with a remaining ink amount of the predetermined amount M or less (S3: NO), the control unit 9 proceeds to S12, which will be described later. Then, if it is determined that there is an ink cartridge 10 with a remaining ink amount of the predetermined amount M or less (S3: YES), the control unit 9 calculates the required ink amount N, which is the amount of ink required for the image recording related to the recording start command (S4).

[0057] Next, for ink cartridges 10 with a predetermined amount M or less, the control unit 9 compares the calculated remaining ink amount C with the required ink amount N, and determines whether the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N (S5). If the calculated remaining ink amount C is not less than the required ink amount N (S5: NO), the process proceeds to S12, which will be described later. If the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N (S5: YES), the control unit 9 displays first remaining ink information 98 (see FIG. 4(a)) on the display 95 (S6).

[0058] Next, the control unit 9 determines whether a cancel instruction to cancel the recording start instruction has been received (S7). If it determines that a cancel instruction has been received (S7: YES), the control unit 9 ends the display of the first remaining ink information 98 (S8) and ends the process. If it determines that a cancel instruction has not been received (S7: NO), the control unit 9 determines whether the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S9). If it determines that the ink cartridge 10 has not been replaced (S9: NO), the process returns to S7.

[0059] On the other hand, if it is determined that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S9: YES), the control unit 9 ends the display of the first remaining ink information 98 (S10). Furthermore, the control unit 9 resets the integrated value V stored in the RAM 93 (S11). Thereafter, the control unit 9 starts feeding the paper P from the feed tray 1 (S12), and determines whether image recording related to the recording start instruction has been completed (S13). If it is determined that image recording has been completed (S13: YES), the control unit 9 ejects the paper P with the image recorded on it to the paper ejection tray 7 (S14).

[0060] Furthermore, if it is determined that image recording is not complete (S13: NO), the control unit 9 determines whether any of the ink cartridges 10 corresponding to the colors used in the image recording related to the recording start command have a remaining ink amount of a predetermined amount M or less (S15). If it is determined that there are no ink cartridges 10 with a remaining ink amount of the predetermined amount M or less (S15: NO), the control unit 9 performs the scanning process once (S16) and returns to S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that there are ink cartridges 10 with a remaining ink amount of the predetermined amount M or less (S15: YES), the control unit 9 determines whether the calculated remaining ink amount C for each ink cartridge 10 with a remaining ink amount of the predetermined amount M or less is equal to or less than the threshold value T (S17).

[0061] If the controller 9 determines that the calculated remaining ink amount C is not equal to or less than the threshold value T (S17: NO), the controller 9 performs a single scanning process (S18). The controller 9 then adds the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 51 during the scanning process in S18 to the integrated value V stored in RAM 93 (S19), and returns to S13. If the controller 9 determines that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than the threshold value T (S17: YES), the controller 9 suspends image recording associated with the recording start command (S20). The controller 9 then displays second remaining ink amount information 99 (see FIG. 4(b)) on the display 95 (S21). Next, the controller 9 determines whether a cancel command to cancel the recording start command has been received (S22).

[0062] If it is determined that a cancellation instruction has not been received (S22: NO), the control unit 9 determines whether the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S23). If it is determined that the ink cartridge 10 has not been replaced (S23: NO), the process returns to S22. If it is determined that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S23: YES), the control unit 9 ends the display of the second ink remaining amount information 99 (S24). Furthermore, the control unit 9 resets the integrated value V stored in RAM 93 (S25) and proceeds to S16.

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined that a cancellation instruction has been received (S22: YES), the control unit 9 discharges the paper P to the paper discharge tray 7 (S26). At this time, the second remaining ink amount information 99 continues to be displayed on the display 95. The control unit 9 then determines whether the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S27). The determination in S27 is repeated until it is determined that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced. If it is determined that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S27: YES), the control unit 9 ends the display of the second remaining ink amount information 99 (S28). The control unit 9 then resets the integrated value V stored in RAM 93 (S29) and ends the process.

[0064] Next, we will explain the process (S30 to S43 in FIG. 7) when it is determined in S2 that the print size is not large. The processes of S30 to S37 in this case are almost the same as the processes of S12, S13, and S15 to S19 described above. That is, when it is determined in S30, which corresponds to S17 described above, that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than the threshold value T (S34: YES), the control unit 9 sets an empty flag (S35), and then proceeds to S36, which corresponds to S18 described above, and performs a single scanning process. Other explanations of the processes of S30 to S37 will be omitted.

[0065] If it is determined in S31 that image recording is complete (S31: YES), the control unit 9 discharges the paper P on which the image has been recorded to the paper discharge tray 7 (S38). Furthermore, the control unit 9 determines whether the empty flag is set (S39). If it is determined that the empty flag is not set (S39: NO), the process ends. If it is determined that the empty flag is set (S39: YES), the control unit 9 displays second ink remaining amount information 99 (see FIG. 4(b)) on the display 95 (S40).

[0066] Next, the control unit 9 determines whether the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S41). The determination in S41 is repeated until it is determined that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced. If it is determined that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced (S41: YES), the control unit 9 ends the display of the second ink remaining amount information 99 (S42). Furthermore, the control unit 9 resets the integrated value V stored in RAM 93 (S43) and ends the process.

[0067] As described above, in the printer 100 of the first embodiment, if the control unit 9 determines that the amount of remaining ink when receiving a recording start instruction is equal to or less than the predetermined amount M, and the calculated remaining ink amount C calculated based on the integrated value V of the amount of ink ejected since it was determined that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount M is less than the required ink amount N necessary for image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction, the control unit 9 does not start image recording. Also, if the control unit 9 determines that the amount of remaining ink when receiving the recording start instruction is not equal to or less than the predetermined amount M, it starts image recording, and if, during image recording, it determines that the amount of remaining ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount M and that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than the threshold value T, it suspends image recording.

[0068] If the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N, if image recording is started, the ink will run out halfway through recording an image on one sheet of paper P. In this embodiment, if the remaining ink amount when the start recording command is received is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M, image recording is not started if the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N, thereby making it less likely that the ink will run out halfway through recording on one sheet of paper P. On the other hand, if the remaining ink amount is more than the predetermined amount M, even if the ink will run out halfway through image recording in response to the start recording command, having the user replace the ink cartridge 10 with a new one before starting recording would waste a large amount of ink. In this embodiment, if the remaining ink amount when the start recording command is received is more than the predetermined amount M, image recording is started regardless of whether the ink will run out halfway through image recording in response to the start recording command. Therefore, ink waste can be reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 starts image recording when the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or greater than the required ink amount N. By starting image recording when the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or greater than the required ink amount N, image recording on one sheet of paper P can be completed without running out of ink midway.

[0070] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, if the size of the paper P related to the recording start instruction is large, larger than A4 size, the control unit 9 determines whether the remaining ink amount at the time of accepting the recording start instruction is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M. If the size of the paper P is A4 size or smaller, even if the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount M, as long as it is equal to or greater than a threshold value T, the ink will not run out during image recording on one sheet of paper P. Therefore, processing can be simplified by determining whether the remaining ink amount at the time of accepting the recording start instruction is equal to or less than the predetermined amount M only if the size of the paper P is large.

[0071] Additionally, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 starts image recording if the paper P related to the recording start command is not large size. Then, if it determines during image recording that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M and that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than a threshold value T, after image recording on one sheet of paper P related to that recording start command is completed, image recording related to the next recording start command is not started. If the paper P is not large size, ink will not run out midway through image recording on one sheet of paper P, even if the remaining ink amount falls below the threshold value T during image recording. Therefore, image recording on the paper P currently being recorded can be completed. Furthermore, by not starting image recording related to the next recording start command, the user can have the ink cartridge 10 replaced.

[0072] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, when the control unit 9 detects that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced, it resets the integrated value V stored in the RAM 93. This makes it possible to calculate the remaining amount of ink in the replaced ink cartridge 10.

[0073] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, when the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N, the control unit 9 displays first remaining ink information 98 on the display 95, which includes information that there is insufficient ink to perform image recording in accordance with the recording start command, and information that image recording on paper P of a size smaller than the paper P for image recording in accordance with the recording start command is possible. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that there is insufficient ink to perform image recording in accordance with the recording start command, and that image recording on a smaller size recording medium is possible.

[0074] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, after displaying the first remaining ink information 98 on the display 95, if an instruction to cancel the start recording instruction is received via the operation button 96, the control unit 9 ends the display of the first remaining ink information 98. In this way, by ending the display of the first remaining ink information 98 when the start recording instruction is canceled, it is easy for the user to understand that there is a possibility that image recording related to another next received start recording instruction can be performed.

[0075] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, when image recording is interrupted, the control unit 9 displays second ink remaining amount information 99 indicating that ink is running low on the display 95. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that ink is running low.

[0076] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, after the control unit 9 displays the second remaining ink information 99 on the display 95, if an instruction to cancel the start recording instruction is received via the operation button 96, the control unit 9 controls the display 95 to continue displaying the second remaining ink information 99. While the second remaining ink information 99 is being displayed, the remaining ink level is below the threshold value T, so image recording cannot be performed even if another start recording instruction is received after the start recording instruction is canceled. Therefore, by continuing to display the second remaining ink information 99 after the start recording instruction is canceled, it is easy for the user to understand that no image recording can be performed.

[0077] Furthermore, in the printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, the control unit 9 adds the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 51 to the integrated value V stored in the RAM 93 each time a scanning process is performed. Therefore, the calculated remaining ink amount C can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0078] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations should not be considered to be limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0079] In the above embodiment, when the paper P related to the recording start instruction is large size, a determination is made as to whether the remaining ink amount at the time of accepting the recording start instruction is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M, but this is not limited to this. The determination of the remaining ink amount at the time of accepting the recording start instruction may be made regardless of the size of the paper P related to the recording start instruction.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the paper P related to the recording start command is not large size, if it is determined during image recording that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M and that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than a threshold value T, image recording on one sheet of paper P related to the recording start command is completed, but this is not limited to this. In other words, if it is determined that the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than the threshold value T, image recording on one sheet of paper P may be interrupted.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the paper P related to the recording start instruction is large size, if it is determined that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount M during image recording and the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or less than a threshold value T, an interruption process is executed to interrupt image recording, but this is not limited to this. In other words, if the calculated remaining ink amount C is equal to or greater than the required ink amount N (S5: NO), the interruption process does not have to be executed.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first remaining ink information 98 is displayed when the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N (S5: YES), and the second remaining ink information 99 is displayed when image recording related to a recording start instruction is interrupted (S20), but this is not limited to this. That is, the same information (for example, information simply indicating that ink is insufficient) may be displayed when the calculated remaining ink amount C is less than the required ink amount N and when image recording related to a recording start instruction is interrupted.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the first remaining ink information 98 includes two pieces of information: information indicating that there is insufficient ink to perform image recording in response to the recording start command, and information indicating that image recording on paper P of a smaller size than the paper P used in image recording in response to the recording start command is possible, but this is not limited to this. The first remaining ink information 98 may include only one of these two pieces of information, or may not include these two pieces of information and may simply be information indicating that there is insufficient ink.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the display of the first ink level information 98 is terminated when a cancel instruction to cancel the recording start instruction is received after the first ink level information 98 has been displayed on the display 95 has been described, but this is not limited to this. In other words, the display of the first ink level information 98 may continue even after a cancel instruction has been received.

[0085] Additionally, in the above embodiment, when a cancel instruction to cancel the recording start instruction is received after the second ink remaining information 99 has been displayed on the display 95, the display of the second ink remaining information 99 continues, but this is not limited to this. In other words, the display of the second ink remaining information 99 may be terminated after a cancel instruction is received.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control unit 9 adds the ink ejection amount to the cumulative value V each time the scanning process is performed, but it may also be configured to add the ink ejection amount to the cumulative value V each time the scanning process is performed N times (N is a plural number).

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 8 is described as being capable of mounting four ink cartridges 10, but the number of ink cartridges 10 that can be mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 8 is not limited to four. For example, only one ink cartridge 10 may be mountable.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 10 to the head 5 via a tube (not shown) or the like has been described, but this is not limited to this. That is, for example, a sub-tank may be provided that is disposed adjacent to the cartridge mounting portion 8 and into which ink flows from the ink cartridge 10 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 8. In this case, the remaining ink sensor 81 may detect the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 10 by detecting the ink in the sub-tank.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the head 5 is described as being of a serial type in which ink is ejected from the nozzles 51 while moving left and right, but it is also possible to adopt a line-type head in which ink is ejected from the nozzles while the position is fixed.

[0090] Additionally, in the above embodiment, the present invention is described as being applied to the printer 100, but is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to multifunction machines, copiers, and other inkjet image recording devices that eject ink from a head. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 2. Transport mechanism 4 carriages 5 Head (recording unit) 6 Moving mechanism 8 Cartridge mounting section 9 Control Unit 10 Ink cartridges 51 nozzles 81 Remaining amount sensor (replacement detection part) 82 Cover sensor (replacement detection part) 93 RAM (memory) 95 Display (notification unit) 96 Operation button (reception area) 98 1st ink remaining amount information 99 Second ink remaining amount information 100 Printer (image recording device) P Paper (recording medium)

Claims

1. a cartridge mounting portion into which an ink cartridge can be detachably mounted; a remaining ink amount sensor capable of detecting whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge attached to the cartridge attachment portion is equal to or less than a predetermined amount; a recording unit having nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the ink cartridge, and for recording an image on a recording medium using the ink ejected from the nozzles; Memory and a control unit; and an image recording device comprising: The control unit a remaining ink amount detection determination process that determines whether the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount based on a detection signal from the remaining ink amount sensor; an ejection amount integration process that, when it is determined in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount during image recording on the recording medium by the recording unit, integrates the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles in accordance with the image recording after it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount; an integrated value storage process for storing the integrated value of the ink ejection amount from the nozzles, which is integrated in the ejection amount integration process, in the memory; a calculated remaining ink amount determination process that determines whether the calculated remaining ink amount, which is the remaining ink amount calculated using the integrated value stored in the memory, is equal to or less than a threshold value that is smaller than the predetermined amount; (a) if it is determined in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving a recording start instruction to start recording the image on one recording medium is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, an ink amount comparison process is executed to compare the calculated remaining ink amount with a required ink amount, which is the amount of ink required to record the image according to the recording start instruction; In the ink amount comparison process, if the calculated remaining ink amount is less than the required ink amount, the image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction is not started, (b) in the detected remaining amount determination process, if it is determined that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving the recording start instruction is not equal to or less than the predetermined amount, starting the image recording according to the recording start instruction; during the image recording in response to the recording start command, if the detected remaining ink amount determination process determines that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, and if the calculated remaining ink amount determination process determines that the calculated remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, a recording interruption process is executed to interrupt the image recording in response to the recording start command; further executing a medium size determination process for determining whether the size of the recording medium in the image recording according to the recording start instruction is a large size larger than a standard size; An image recording device characterized in that, when the medium size determination process determines that the size of the recording medium for image recording is the large size, the detected remaining amount determination process determines whether the remaining ink amount at the time of accepting the recording start instruction is below the predetermined amount.

2. The control unit When it is determined in the medium size determination process that the size of the recording medium is not the large size, the image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction is started; The image recording device described in claim 1, characterized in that if, during the image recording in response to the recording start instruction, the detected remaining amount judgment process determines that the ink remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount, and if the calculated remaining amount judgment process determines that the calculated ink remaining amount is less than the threshold value, after the image recording on one recording medium in response to the recording start instruction is completed, the image recording in response to the next recording start instruction is not started.

3. a cartridge mounting portion into which an ink cartridge can be detachably mounted; a remaining ink amount sensor capable of detecting whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge attached to the cartridge attachment portion is equal to or less than a predetermined amount; a recording unit having nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the ink cartridge, and for recording an image on a recording medium using the ink ejected from the nozzles; Memory and a control unit; and an image recording device comprising: The control unit a remaining ink amount detection determination process that determines whether the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount based on a detection signal from the remaining ink amount sensor; an ejection amount integration process that, when it is determined in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount during image recording on the recording medium by the recording unit, integrates the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles in accordance with the image recording after it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount; an integrated value storage process for storing the integrated value of the ink ejection amount from the nozzles, which is integrated in the ejection amount integration process, in the memory; a calculated remaining ink amount determination process that determines whether the calculated remaining ink amount, which is the remaining ink amount calculated using the integrated value stored in the memory, is equal to or less than a threshold value that is smaller than the predetermined amount; (a) if it is determined in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving a recording start instruction to start recording the image on one recording medium is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, an ink amount comparison process is executed to compare the calculated remaining ink amount with a required ink amount, which is the amount of ink required to record the image according to the recording start instruction; In the ink amount comparison process, if the calculated remaining ink amount is less than the required ink amount, the image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction is not started, (b) in the detected remaining amount determination process, if it is determined that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving the recording start instruction is not equal to or less than the predetermined amount, starting the image recording according to the recording start instruction; during the image recording in response to the recording start command, if the detected remaining ink amount determination process determines that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, and if the calculated remaining ink amount determination process determines that the calculated remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, a recording interruption process is executed to interrupt the image recording in response to the recording start command; The device further includes a notification unit for notifying a user of information, The control unit if, in the ink amount comparison process, the calculated remaining ink amount is less than the required ink amount, a first notification process is executed to control the notification unit and notify first remaining ink amount information that the remaining ink amount is insufficient; An image recording device characterized in that the first ink remaining information includes information that image recording on a recording medium of a size smaller than the recording medium used in the image recording according to the recording start instruction is possible.

4. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first remaining ink amount information includes information indicating that the remaining ink amount is insufficient to perform the image recording according to the recording start instruction.

5. The device further includes a reception unit that receives input from a user, The control unit The image recording device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, after executing the first notification process, if the reception unit receives an instruction to cancel the recording start instruction, the notification unit is controlled to terminate notification of the first ink remaining amount information.

6. a cartridge mounting portion into which an ink cartridge can be detachably mounted; a remaining ink amount sensor capable of detecting whether or not the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge attached to the cartridge attachment portion is equal to or less than a predetermined amount; a recording unit having nozzles for ejecting ink supplied from the ink cartridge, and for recording an image on a recording medium using the ink ejected from the nozzles; Memory and a control unit; and an image recording device comprising: The control unit a remaining ink amount detection determination process that determines whether the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount based on a detection signal from the remaining ink amount sensor; an ejection amount integration process that, when it is determined in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount during image recording on the recording medium by the recording unit, integrates the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles in accordance with the image recording after it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or less than the predetermined amount; an integrated value storage process for storing the integrated value of the ink ejection amount from the nozzles, which is integrated in the ejection amount integration process, in the memory; a calculated remaining ink amount determination process that determines whether the calculated remaining ink amount, which is the remaining ink amount calculated using the integrated value stored in the memory, is equal to or less than a threshold value that is smaller than the predetermined amount; (a) if it is determined in the detected remaining amount determination process that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving a recording start instruction to start recording the image on one recording medium is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, an ink amount comparison process is executed to compare the calculated remaining ink amount with a required ink amount, which is the amount of ink required to record the image according to the recording start instruction; In the ink amount comparison process, if the calculated remaining ink amount is less than the required ink amount, the image recording in accordance with the recording start instruction is not started, (b) in the detected remaining amount determination process, if it is determined that the remaining ink amount at the time of receiving the recording start instruction is not equal to or less than the predetermined amount, starting the image recording according to the recording start instruction; during the image recording in response to the recording start command, if the detected remaining ink amount determination process determines that the remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, and if the calculated remaining ink amount determination process determines that the calculated remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, a recording interruption process is executed to interrupt the image recording in response to the recording start command; The device further includes a notification unit for notifying a user of information and a reception unit for receiving an input from the user, The control unit when the recording interruption process is executed, a second notification process is executed in which the notification unit is controlled to notify second remaining ink amount information indicating that the remaining ink amount is insufficient; An image recording device characterized in that, after executing the second notification process, if the reception unit receives an instruction to cancel the recording start instruction, the notification unit is controlled so that the notification of the second ink remaining amount information continues.

7. The control unit 7. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein, in the ink amount comparison process, if the calculated remaining ink amount is equal to or greater than the required ink amount, the image recording according to the recording start instruction is started.

8. The ink cartridge may further include an exchange detection unit that detects whether the ink cartridge attached to the cartridge attachment unit has been exchanged, The control unit The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when the replacement detection unit detects that the ink cartridge has been replaced, the integrated value stored in the memory is reset.

9. a conveying mechanism that conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction; a carriage supporting the recording unit; a moving mechanism that moves the carriage in a scanning direction that intersects with the transport direction, The control unit a conveying process in which the conveying mechanism conveys the recording medium in the conveying direction, and a scanning process in which the recording unit records an image on the recording medium while the moving mechanism moves the carriage in the scanning direction, 9. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles is added to the integrated value stored in the memory each time the scanning process is performed.

Images