Recording device and control method for recording device

Abstract

To solve such the problem with a method of determining whether an ink amount necessary for recording remains in an ink storage part by analyzing recording data and counting dots when a recording job is received, which is not suitable for long recording having a large-sized recording image because the determination needs to be performed after all the recording data are received.SOLUTION: Determining whether ink runs out during recording on the basis of recording information that is included in a recording job can readily determine recording even when it is long recording without receiving all the recording data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device for recording an image on a recording medium and a method for controlling the recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recording devices such as inkjet printers, images are recorded by supplying ink from an ink reservoir to a recording head, ejecting the ink from the recording head, and landing the ink on a recording medium. Known methods include a cartridge with an ink reservoir mounted on a carriage that scans the recording head, and a tube supply method in which the ink reservoir is located separately from the recording head and connected to the recording head via a tube. Generally, the tube supply method allows for a larger ink reservoir. Because an image cannot be recorded if the ink runs out, a mechanism is provided in the ink reservoir to detect the remaining ink level.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which print data is analyzed, dot counting is performed, the amount of ink required for printing is calculated, and this is compared with the amount of ink currently remaining in the ink tank. If it is determined that the amount of ink remaining is insufficient, the printer selects whether to discard the print data or replace the ink tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-168043 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Before executing a printing operation, in order to determine whether the remaining ink will be enough to print an image, it is necessary to analyze the print data and calculate the amount of ink required for printing. However, when the image data for one page is large, such as in long-format printing, it may not be possible to calculate the amount of ink. Calculating the amount of ink required for printing requires a large memory capacity to store one page's worth of data in RAM. Also, because it takes time to transfer a large amount of data, there are issues such as a high processing load and long processing times.

[0006] In response to such problems, the present invention aims to determine, before executing a printing operation, whether a long print is being performed that may result in ink running out during printing, and to prevent ink running out during printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a recording device having a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink onto a recording medium, a first acquisition device for acquiring first information relating to the remaining amount of ink in an ink reservoir that stores ink to be supplied to the recording device, Includes information indicating the size of the image to be printed and information indicating the maximum amount of ink that can be applied per unit area Recording Jobs and acquiring information indicating the size of the image and the maximum ink amount. Based on the previous Recorded picture The recording device is characterized by comprising a second acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating the amount of ink required to complete recording of the image, and a determination means for determining whether to notify the user via the notification means based on the first information and the second information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention achieves both prevention of ink shortage during long-length recording or cleaning, which consumes a large amount of ink, and reduction in the accuracy of ink remaining amount detection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire recording apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a recording head. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ink storage section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a drive transmission configuration from a conveying roller to a pump mechanism. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of the printing apparatus. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of image processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing control of the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing control of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of divided recording according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing control of a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a notification displayed on the display panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment. A recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage 4. The recording head 3 includes a plurality of recording elements that generate energy for ejecting ink as droplets. For example, these elements are electrothermal conversion elements that convert electrical energy into thermal energy. Driving the electrothermal conversion elements generates thermal energy, which generates bubbles in the ink, and the pressure of the bubbles causes the ink to be ejected as droplets from the ejection openings. Hereinafter, the ejection openings will also be referred to as nozzles. The recording head 3 also includes ink tanks (sub-tanks) that hold ink delivered from main tanks 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1K, which serve as ink storage units for storing ink, and supply ink to each nozzle.

[0012] Furthermore, the recording head 3 is provided with a connector for sending and receiving signals to drive multiple recording elements, and the carriage 4 is provided with a connector holder for transmitting drive signals to the recording head 3 via the connector.

[0013] The carriage 4 is guided and supported by a guide shaft 9, and is capable of reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction in which the guide shaft 9 extends. The movement of the carriage 4 is performed by a main scanning motor 11 via a drive mechanism including a motor pulley 12, a driven pulley 17, and a timing belt 10, and the position and movement amount of the carriage 4 are controlled.

[0014] Before the recording operation begins, the recording medium 14 is supported by a roll holder 15. When a command to start the recording operation is issued, the paper feed motor 13 is driven. This driving force is transmitted to the roll holder 15 via a gear, causing it to rotate, and the recording medium 14 is fed from the roll holder 15 into the recording device. The fed recording medium 14 is transported by the rotational force of a transport roller 8. The transport roller 8 rotates as rotational force generated by a transport motor 22 is transmitted via a gear. The transport roller 8 and driven roller 7 are connected by a belt member 20, and the rotation of the transport roller 8 also rotates the driven roller 7. The position of a slit engraved in a code wheel 21 attached to the transport roller 8 is confirmed by a rotation angle sensor (not shown), thereby detecting the amount of rotation and rotation speed of the transport roller 8. The detected information is fed back to a driver for controlling the transport motor 22, thereby controlling the rotation of the transport roller 8. The recording medium 14 is transported between the transport roller 8 and the driven roller 7, and passes through a recording area facing the ejection port surface of the recording head 3. At this time, the recording medium 14 is supported smoothly by a platen 18 so that a flat recording surface can be formed in the recording area. As the recording medium 14 passes through the recording area, the recording head 3 drives the recording elements in accordance with a predetermined image signal to eject ink.

[0015] The pinch roller 16 and the spur roller 19 are auxiliary rollers for increasing the holding force of the recording medium 14. After an image is recorded on the recording medium 14, the cutter 5 is moved along the rail 6 to cut the recording medium 14.

[0016] A suction cap 24 is placed in contact with the ejection port surface to prevent the ink near the ejection port from drying out while printing is not being performed. A suction pump 23 generates negative pressure to suck the ink inside the ejection port through the suction cap 24. A wiper (not shown) is attached near the suction cap 24. The wetness of the ejection port surface can be eliminated by moving the wiper in the direction of the arrangement of the ejection ports while it is in contact with the ejection port.

[0017] The main tanks 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1K are connected to the recording head 3 by tube-shaped flow paths 2C, 2M, 2Y, and 2K, respectively, for each ink. Ink is supplied from the main tanks 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1K to the recording head 3 via these flow paths 2C, 2M, 2Y, and 2K.

[0018] Choke valves 25 capable of closing each flow path are provided in the middle of the flow paths 2C, 2M, 2Y, and 2K. After closing the choke valves 25, the cap 24 is brought into contact with the recording head 3 and then suction is performed with the pump 23, thereby increasing the negative pressure in the flow paths. By opening the choke valves 25 while the negative pressure in the flow paths is increased, ink is discharged all at once from the main tanks 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1K through the flow paths 2C, 2M, 2Y, and 2K, and from the recording head 3 to the cap 24. This allows bubbles in the flow paths to be removed.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a print head. In the print head 3 of this embodiment, multiple printing elements and ejection openings are arranged at intervals of 600 dpi, and two rows of ejection openings are arranged in a staggered pattern, offset by 1200 dpi. In FIG. 2(a), nozzle rows a and b eject cyan ink (C), nozzle rows c and d eject magenta ink (M), nozzle rows e and f eject yellow ink (Y), and nozzle rows g and h eject black ink (K). Each of the nozzle rows for CMY color inks has 256 nozzles, and the nozzle row for black ink has 640 nozzles. The black nozzle row is longer than the nozzle rows for color inks.

[0020] In the color mode, in which an image is printed using all the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, black ink is printed using only the portion indicated by the diagonal lines in Figure 2(a). After printing the black ink, the print medium is conveyed, and the image is printed using the cyan, magenta, and yellow color inks. By delaying the time between the black printing and the color printing in this way, bleeding at the boundaries between the black and color areas on the print medium can be suppressed. On the other hand, in the monochrome mode, in which an image is printed using only black ink, all the nozzles in the black ink nozzle row are used to print the image.

[0021] Figure 3(a) is a schematic diagram of main tanks 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1K. The four colors have the same structure. The shaded areas indicate the areas filled with ink. Ink is replenished through the main tank cap 31. The buffer tank 33 is at atmospheric pressure through the standby communication port 34. The liquid level 32 is in contact with the atmosphere, and negative head pressure is applied to the print head 3 based on this point, maintaining the ink meniscus near the nozzles. In other words, the liquid level 32 is located below the print head 3. The buffer tank 33 is designed to absorb the ink volume expansion and drop in the liquid level when the air pressure drops. When the main tank cap 31 is opened, the tube 2 is closed in conjunction with the cap opening (not shown). This structure prevents the ink from being exposed to the atmosphere when the cap is opened, which creates positive pressure on the nozzle surface, causing ink droplets to fall.

[0022] The recording device of this embodiment is equipped with pins 35 and 36 for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the main tank. Pins 35 and 36 are connected to a voltmeter 37, and pin 36 is connected to ground, making it possible to measure the voltage between the two electrodes. A voltage controller 38 is connected to the voltmeter 37, and a control unit 39 is connected to the voltage controller 38. In response to instructions from the control unit 39, the voltage controller 38 supplies current to pins 35 and 36.

[0023] In the above configuration, a constant current is applied between the electrodes provided in the main tanks 1C, 1M, 1Y, and 1K. When ink is present between the electrodes, electrical continuity is ensured due to the ink's conductivity. As a result, little potential difference occurs between the electrodes, and a low voltage value is measured by the voltmeter 37. In contrast, when there is no ink between the electrodes, electrical continuity is not ensured. As a result, the potential difference between the electrodes increases, and a high voltage value is measured by the voltmeter 37. In this way, when the potential difference between the electrodes is equal to or greater than a certain value, it can be determined that the amount of ink remaining in the tank is low.

[0024] In this embodiment, the ejection ports cannot be capped and suction recovery cannot be performed while the recording medium 14 is on the conveying roller 8. Therefore, even if ink is replenished during recording, suction recovery processing cannot be performed.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the drive transmission configuration from the conveying roller 8 to the pump 23, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the mechanism of the pump 23. A pump roller 55 is attached to the pump roller holder 54. The pump tubes 51a and 51b are inserted rotatably within the pump base 53, extending halfway around the inner wall of the pump base 53. When the conveying roller 8 is rotated in reverse by the driving of the motor 22 with the recording head 3 capped, the driving force is transmitted to the pump roller holder 54 via the conveying output gear 26, the idler gear 27, and the pump drive gear 50. The pump roller 55 moves a cam provided on the pump roller holder 54, and the pump tubes 51a and 51b are crushed by the pump roller 55 and the inner wall of the pump base 53. Furthermore, when the conveying roller 8 continues to be driven in the reverse direction, negative pressure is generated inside the pump tube.

[0026] When the ejection port surface of the recording head 3 is capped with the cap 24 and negative pressure is generated in the tightly sealed state, ink can be sucked from the ejection ports of the recording head 3 through the cap 24. On the other hand, when negative pressure is generated in an uncapped state, a so-called idle suction operation can be performed, in which ink accumulated in the cap due to preliminary ejection or the like is sucked and discharged. In the idle suction operation, by squeezing each of the pump tubes 51a and 52b, the cap 24 can individually suck ink from the ejection ports or perform idle suction inside the cap.

[0027] To release the negative pressure in the pump tubes after the suction operation is completed, the pump roller holder 54 is rotated in the reverse direction. That is, the conveying roller 8 is rotated in the forward direction. By releasing the state in which the pump rollers 55 are squeezing the pump tubes 51a and 51b, the negative pressure inside the pump tubes is released.

[0028] With the above configuration, the motor 22 that drives the transport roller 8 and the pump roller 55 is the same, so suction recovery requires forward and reverse rotation of the transport roller 8. Performing forward and reverse rotation while the recording medium 14 is on the transport roller 8 may lead to a jam. When suction recovery is performed, the recording medium 14 must be temporarily removed from above the transport roller 8. For this reason, recovery processing cannot be performed when ink is replenished during printing, so in this embodiment, ink replenishment during printing is not performed.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of the control configuration of the recording apparatus of this embodiment. The control unit 62 is composed of a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown). The control unit 62 receives input data from the operation panel 61, a connected PC 69, or a wireless remote UI. Based on the received input data, the control unit 62 outputs motor current control signals to motor drivers 63, 612, and 615 to control the following operations. The conveyance motor 22, which drives the conveyance roller 8 and other components, drives the recording / discharge feed roller unit 65 via a conveyance drive transmission system 64 based on a signal input from the motor driver 63. The conveyance motor 22 reverses the conveyance roller 8 and drives the pump tube of the recovery unit 613. The paper feed motor 13 drives the paper feed roller unit 67, which corresponds to the roll holder 15, via a conveyance drive transmission system 66 based on a signal input from the motor driver 615.

[0030] The main scanning motor 11 drives the carriage 4 in response to a signal input from a motor driver 612. Various sensors 610 provided in the paper transport unit and recording unit detect the position of the recording medium, the number of rotations of the transport roller, the recording position of the recording unit, etc., and input the detection signals to a control unit 62, which then outputs appropriate control signals to motor drivers 63, 612, and 615.

[0031] The control unit 62 drives the print head 3 by outputting print data to the head driver 614. The print data includes not only the image to be printed, but also preliminary ejection data for maintaining the ink ejection performance from the print head 3. Preliminary ejection is mainly for ejecting thickened ink toward the cap 24, and the ink ejected by preliminary ejection does not contribute to image printing. There are pre-printing preliminary ejection, which is performed before a printing operation, pre-printing preliminary ejection, which is performed during printing, and standby preliminary ejection, which is performed in preparation for the next printing operation.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of image processing in this embodiment. This flow is executed by the CPU reading out a program stored in the ROM of the control unit 62. When image processing starts and a recording job is received, recording image data is received in step S71, and recording information is acquired in step S72. The acquired recording information includes image recording width, image recording length, recording medium type information, recording quality information, color mode information, and information on the number of nozzles used, and is acquired for each page in the recording job. The image recording width and image recording length are the number of pixels of the recorded image in the width and length directions, respectively, at a resolution of 600 dpi. The recording medium type information indicates the type of recording medium, such as plain paper or glossy paper. The recording quality information indicates the recording quality, such as "fast mode," "fine mode," or "standard mode." The information on the number of nozzles used indicates the position and number of nozzles (ejection openings) used for this recording quality among all the nozzles (ejection openings) of the recording head.

[0033] Next, in step S73, RGB data for each pixel of the recording image data is obtained from the RAM in the control unit 62. In this embodiment, the RGB data is data in which each pixel has 8-bit RGB values, and the data resolution is 600 dpi x 600 dpi.

[0034] In step S74, color conversion processing is executed to convert the RGB data into CMYK data corresponding to the colors of ink used for printing. This color conversion processing generates four-plane CMYK data, with each pixel having a 12-bit CMYK value.

[0035] In step S75, the CMYK data is quantized to generate quantized data with 4 bits for each CMYK value. The quantization process can be performed using a dithering method, an error diffusion method, or the like. In this embodiment, the generated quantized data has a data resolution of 600 dpi.

[0036] In step S76, the quantized data of 4 bits for each CMYK value is binarized to convert each pixel into 1-bit data for each CMYK value. This 1-bit CMYK data indicates whether or not ink should be ejected. Ink is ejected from the print head 3 based on this binarized 1-bit data, and an image is printed on the print medium.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control of the printing apparatus. FIG. 8(a) shows the sequence of the printing possibility determination process in this embodiment. Step S81 is the image processing flow of FIG. 7. After image processing, step S82 acquires the current ink remaining level for each of the CMYK inks. In this embodiment, the amount of ink when the ink level falls below the bottom of the pin 35 is defined as "ink out," i.e., the ink remaining level is set to 0%. Even when the ink level falls below the bottom of the pin 35, a small amount of ink actually remains in the main tank. If the ink is set to be used until there is no ink left, air bubbles may enter the ink flow path if the printing apparatus is tilted. For this reason, the state where only a small amount of ink remains is set to 0% to prevent air bubbles from entering the ink flow path. The state when the main tank is fully filled with ink is defined as 100%, and the amount of ink discharged from the nozzle is counted from that amount. The current ink remaining level is acquired by subtracting the count value from 100% ink.

[0038] In step S83, a remaining ink level determination process is performed to determine whether the ink in the ink tank will run out during the printing of the next page. This remaining ink level determination process will be described in detail using the flowchart in Figure 8(b). Note that in the case of a printing job that includes multiple pages, the following remaining ink level determination process is performed each time printing of each page is completed.

[0039] In step S831, the maximum duty value A (%) is obtained based on the recording medium type information, recording quality information, and color mode information from the recording information obtained in step S72. This maximum duty value A is a value converted into the maximum amount of ink applied per unit area of ​​a predetermined 600 dpi square.

[0040] In step S832, the area B of the image to be recorded on the next page is obtained based on the image recording width and image recording length from the recording information obtained in step S72. As described above, the image recording width and image recording length are each the number of pixels at a resolution of 600 dpi, and the area B corresponds to the total number of pixels of the image to be recorded on the next page.

[0041] In step S833, the maximum amount of ink C (ml) required to print the next page is calculated by calculating the product of the acquired maximum duty value A and area B. The calculation of the maximum amount of ink C in steps S831 to S833 is performed for each ink color. Note that in this embodiment, the maximum amount of ink C to be printed is calculated using the maximum duty value A, but this does not necessarily have to be the maximum amount of ink applied to one pixel, and an estimated amount of ink may be determined appropriately. For example, an estimated amount of ink may be set to an amount of ink that is 80% of the maximum amount of ink.

[0042] In step S834, a preliminary ejection pattern to be executed while printing the next page is selected based on the color mode information and the number of nozzles in use information from the printing information acquired in step S72. The preliminary ejection pattern is information indicating the number of ejections per nozzle and the number of nozzles in use in one preliminary ejection operation, and multiple preliminary ejection patterns are stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 62. Furthermore, the number of preliminary ejections to be executed while printing the next page is calculated based on the number of printing passes information from the printing information acquired in step S72. Then, the preliminary ejection amount Y (ml) to be executed while printing the next page is calculated for each ink color from the selected preliminary ejection pattern and the calculated number of preliminary ejections. The preliminary ejection amount Y is calculated using the following equation 1. Y = (number of ejections per nozzle in one preliminary ejection × number of nozzles used) × number of preliminary ejections) (Equation 1) Here, the color mode information included in the recording information indicates whether the recording mode is color mode recording or monochrome mode recording. In color mode recording, four colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, are used, while in monochrome mode recording, only one color, black, is used. Therefore, the number of inks ejected from the nozzles of cyan, magenta, and yellow color inks in the preliminary ejection for monochrome mode recording is set to be less than the number of inks ejected from the nozzles of color mode recording in the preliminary ejection for color mode recording. Also, as described with reference to FIG. 2A, in color mode recording, only a portion of the black nozzle row is used. Therefore, in the preliminary ejection for color mode recording, the number of inks ejected from the nozzles not used for recording is set to be less than the number of inks ejected from the nozzles used for recording in the black nozzle row.

[0043] In step S835, the amount of ink D (ml) required to reach the first threshold is calculated for each ink color from the current remaining ink level (%) acquired in step S82. In this embodiment, the first threshold is set to the ink-out value, i.e., 0%.

[0044] In step S836, the possibility that the amount of remaining ink in the ink tank will fall below the first threshold during printing of the next page is determined based on the maximum amount of ink C required to print the next page, the amount of preliminary ejection Y, and the amount of ink D required from the current amount of remaining ink to reach the first threshold. Specifically, for each ink color, it is determined whether the sum of C and Y (C+Y) is greater than D. If it is determined that (C+Y) is greater than D for one or more colors, the process proceeds to step S837, where it is determined that there is a possibility that the amount of remaining ink will reach the first threshold during printing, and a flag is set ON. If it is determined that (C+Y) is greater than D for no colors, the process proceeds to step S838, where it is determined that there is no possibility that the amount of remaining ink will reach the first threshold during printing, and a flag is set OFF.

[0045] Returning to FIG. 8(a), in step S84, the result of the remaining ink level determination process during recording in step S83 is confirmed. If it is determined in step S836 that there is a possibility that the remaining ink level will reach the first threshold level during recording, the process proceeds to step S85. In step S85, it is determined whether an ink replenishment recommendation notice recommending ink replenishment has been sent to either the operation panel 61, the driver UI of the PC 69, or the remote UI. An example of sending a notice to the operation panel 61 is shown below. If an ink replenishment recommendation notice has not been sent, the process proceeds to step S86, and an ink replenishment recommendation notice is sent for the ink colors determined in step S836 to be greater than D.

[0046] 12(a) is an example of a notification displayed on the operation panel 61. Here, an example is shown in which it is determined that cyan ink may run out during printing. If this is determined for multiple ink colors, a notification is displayed recommending that the ink of that ink color be replenished.

[0047] Then, in step S87, the user is asked whether or not to continue the recording operation. Figure 12(b) shows an example of a notification displayed on the operation panel 61 at the timing of step S87, which displays the following message: "Your cyan ink may run out during the next recording / We recommend that you replenish ink before recording / Do you want to replenish ink before recording?"

[0048] If the user inputs "No" in response to the notification in FIG. 12(b), the process proceeds to step S811, and the printing operation is started without refilling ink before printing. On the other hand, if the user inputs "Yes," ink will be refilled before printing. FIG. 12(c) is an example of a notification displayed on the operation panel 61. The process waits until ink refilling is complete, and when the user presses the "OK" button, the process proceeds to step S88.

[0049] In step S88, the remaining ink level is detected after ink refilling is completed, and the process returns to the remaining ink level determination process of step S83 to perform determination again. Note that in the second remaining ink level determination process after ink refilling, the calculation processes of steps S831 to S834 may be omitted. In step S835, the ink amount D can be calculated using the new remaining ink level detected in step S88.

[0050] On the other hand, in step S84, the result of the ink remaining amount determination process during recording in step S83 is checked, and if it is determined that there is no possibility that the ink remaining amount will reach the first threshold during recording, the process proceeds to step S89. In step S89, it is checked whether an ink refill recommendation notification has been issued, and if so, the ink refill recommendation notification is turned off. This allows the user to check whether there is enough ink in the ink tank to record the image of the next page to be recorded.

[0051] In step S811, the printing operation is performed, in step S812 the remaining ink level is detected for each ink color after printing, and in step S813 the remaining ink level is updated and the process ends. Note that if a printing job includes multiple pages, the processes from step S82 onwards in Figure 8(a) must be performed each time printing of one page is completed.

[0052] As described above, after receiving a print job, the printer determines whether ink in the ink tank is likely to run out during a printing operation based on the print information before the ink runs out. Whether ink will run out during printing can be determined from the print information included in the print job before all image data is received, without analyzing all image data and performing dot counting. This allows for a simple prediction of when ink will run out during printing, and allows a notification urging the user to replenish ink or start printing even before all image data is received. It is preferable to notify the user not only before the ink actually runs out, but also before the printing operation begins, thereby reducing ink consumption. Furthermore, if it is determined that ink may run out during printing, the printer notifies the user to replenish ink, allowing the user to replenish ink before printing, thereby preventing ink from running out during printing.

[0053] (Second embodiment) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the printing apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment. Steps S81 to S813 are the same as those of the first embodiment. If it is determined in step S84 that there is a possibility that the remaining ink level will reach the first threshold during printing, the process proceeds to step S85, where it is confirmed whether an ink replenishment recommendation notice recommending ink replenishment has been issued. If an ink replenishment recommendation notice has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S86. In step S86, for ink colors determined in step S836 to be greater than D, an ink replenishment recommendation notice is sent to either the operation panel on the main unit, the driver UI on the PC, or the remote UI.

[0054] In step S87, the user is asked whether to continue the recording operation. If the user chooses to continue, the process proceeds to step S91, where a recording image division warning is displayed via the operation panel of the recording device itself, the driver UI on the PC, or the remote UI, indicating that the recording image will be divided and recorded. FIG. 12(d) shows an example of the recording image division warning, displaying the following message: "If cyan ink runs out during the next recording, recording may end midway through the image." In step S92, the recording image division warning is displayed, and the user is then asked whether to continue the recording operation. FIG. 12(e) shows an example of the notification displayed in step S92. If the user selects "Yes," that is, if the recording is to continue, in step S57, the frequency of ink remaining detection during recording of the corresponding color is set to cycle X (seconds). Here, X is 60 seconds. If the recording is not to continue, the process waits until the user indicates that ink refilling has finished. Then, in step S88, ink remaining detection is performed. Then, the process returns to step S83, where the process for determining the ink remaining during recording is performed.

[0055] On the other hand, if an input indicating that the recording operation should continue is received in response to the notification in step S92, the recording operation is executed in step S94. In step S95, it is determined whether the recording operation has ended. If the recording operation has not ended, the process proceeds to step S96, where it is determined whether X seconds have passed since the previous remaining ink amount detection. If not, the process returns to step S94, and the recording operation continues. If X seconds have passed since the previous remaining ink amount detection, the process proceeds to step S97, where current is passed between the electrodes of pins 35 and 36, and the current remaining ink amount is detected. In step S98, it is determined whether the remaining ink level has reached the second threshold. If it is determined that it has not reached the second threshold, the process returns to step S94, and the recording operation continues. If it is determined in step S98 that the remaining ink level has reached the second threshold, the process executes a recording image division process in step S99. Here, the second threshold is a value greater than the first threshold, and in this embodiment, the position of the bottom end of pin 35 in FIG. 3 is set to a position where the remaining ink amount is 10%. In other words, when the remaining amount of ink falls below 10%, the ink level falls below the bottom end of the pin 35. Dot counting begins from the moment the ink level falls below the pin 35. The first threshold is set to a value from which the counted amount of ink used is subtracted to bring the remaining ink level to 0%.

[0056] When the recording image division process is completed in step S910, the process proceeds to step S911, where an out-of-ink error is notified via the operation panel of the recording device main body, the driver UI on the PC, or the remote UI. Figure 12(f) is an example of an out-of-ink error notification.

[0057] In step S912, when information indicating that the user has refilled ink is obtained through the UI, the remaining ink level is detected in step S913. In step S914, information on the remaining divided image recording is obtained. At this time, the length of the remaining image to be recorded and the recording start position are obtained. After that, the process returns to the remaining ink level determination process during recording in step S83.

[0058] If it is determined in step S84 that there is no possibility that the remaining amount of ink will reach the first threshold value during printing, the subsequent flow is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 10 illustrates the recording image division process in step S95. FIG. 10(a) shows the image to be recorded, with the gray area representing the recording image area. FIGS. 10(b) and 10(c) show the image after division. The dotted line indicates the location where, during recording of the image in FIG. 10(a), it was determined in step S98 that the ink level had reached the second threshold. As shown in FIG. 10(b), image recording is temporarily suspended at the dotted line. A joining mark 101 is recorded in the margin outside the recording image area to facilitate joining of the divided images, and then the recording medium 14 is cut by the cutter 5. Then, based on the image recording information acquired in step S914, the remaining image is recorded as shown in FIG. 10(c). At this time, a joining mark 101 is recorded in the margin outside the recording image area, similar to FIG. 10(b). By aligning the images based on this joining mark 101, the divided images (b) and (c) can be easily joined together.

[0060] As described above, the possibility of ink running out during long-length recording is determined before recording based on simple recording information, and if recording is to be continued, a notification of divided recording is issued, making it easier for the user to choose whether to continue recording as is or to replenish ink. Furthermore, if the user chooses to continue recording, the divided process is executed even if ink runs out during recording, preventing the product from going to waste.

[0061] (Third embodiment) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing control according to the third embodiment. The configuration of the printing apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment. In FIG. 11(a), steps S81 to S813 are the same as those in the flowchart of the first embodiment, except for step S111, which is the remaining ink level determination process 2 during printing. FIG. 11(b) is a flowchart showing step S111, which is the remaining ink level determination process 2 during printing. Steps S831 to S838 are the same as those in FIG. 8(b) for the remaining ink level determination process during printing. In step S8311, if it is determined in step S838 that the remaining ink level may reach the first threshold during printing, the printable length Z given the current remaining ink level and print width setting is calculated. Z is calculated as Z=(D−Y) / (A×W) using the maximum duty A (%) calculated in step S831, the preliminary ejection amount Y calculated in S834, D calculated in step S835, and the print image width W obtained in step S72. A recommended recording image division setting is calculated from the recording image length L acquired in step S72 and the recordable length Z calculated in step S8311 (step S8312). Specifically, the recommended division setting is the value obtained by rounding up the decimal point of L / Z.

[0062] If it is determined in step S84 that the remaining ink level may reach the first threshold during recording, then in step S85, it is checked whether or not there is a UI notification recommending ink refill. If there is no ink refill recommendation notification, then in step S86, a notification recommending ink refill for the corresponding color is sent via the operation panel on the main body, the driver UI on the PC, or the remote UI. Then, in step S87, the user is asked whether or not to continue recording. If the user chooses to continue, then in step S112, the recommended recording image division setting calculated in step S8312 is sent via the operation panel on the main body, the driver UI on the PC, or the remote UI. If no division setting is to be made, then the process proceeds to step S811, and the image is recorded. If a division setting is to be made, then in step S114, recording image division processing is performed using the recommended recording image division setting calculated in step S8312. In step S115, the divided recording image data is recorded, and then in step S116, a notification recommending ink refill is sent via the operation panel, the driver UI on the PC, or the remote UI. When recording the divided image in step S115, a joining mark 101 may be recorded, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 with 101. The user refills the ink in accordance with the notification in step S116, and the remaining ink level is detected in step S117. Thereafter, in step S118, recording information for the remaining divided image (image length for the remaining recording portion, recording start position) is acquired, and the process returns to step S111 for determining the remaining ink level during recording 2.

[0063] As described above, in the case of long-length printing, if it is determined before printing based on simple printing information that there is a possibility that ink will run out during printing, the user is prompted to replenish ink. If the user continues printing, the recommended division setting that allows printing with the current amount of remaining ink is notified. The recommended division setting allows the long image to be divided and printed, making it possible to prevent ink from running out during printing.

[0064] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the first threshold is set when the ink level falls below the pin 35, but this is not limiting. As shown in FIG. 3B, there may be multiple pins, such as pin 40, located above pin 35, and the first threshold may be set when the ink level falls below pin 40. Alternatively, the first threshold may be set to a value obtained by counting a predetermined number of dots after the ink level falls below pin 35 or pin 40. In the second embodiment, the second threshold is set when the ink level falls below pin 35. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second threshold may be set when the ink level falls below pin 40, and the first threshold may be set when the ink level falls below pin 35. Alternatively, the first threshold may be set to a value obtained by counting a predetermined number of dots after the ink level falls below pin 35 or pin 40. In other words, the first threshold is not limited to ink out.

[0065] 9 in the second embodiment, the detection cycle may be set for all colors, rather than just for the colors determined as Yes in the previous step S84. Also, although an example has been described in which the detection frequency during recording is periodic, the present invention is not limited to this and does not have to be periodic.

[0066] 8 and in the remaining ink amount determination during printing 2 of FIG. 11, it is determined in step S836 whether (C+Y) is greater than D, but it is also possible to omit the ink amount Y of the preliminary ejection and use the result of determining whether C is greater than D. Also, in calculating the maximum ink amount C in step S833, it is calculated using the printed image area B and maximum duty A (%), but it may also be calculated from A and the printed image width or length.

[0067] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which ink cannot be replenished during recording, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be configured so that ink can be replenished during recording. Also, while an example has been shown in which the carriage 4 scans in the main scanning direction, a so-called full multi-head configuration in which the recording head is fixed and the recording medium is transported in the sub-scanning direction may also be used. Also, a so-called flatbed printer may be used in which the position of the recording medium is fixed and an image is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 3 Recording head 4 carriages 8 Conveyor roller 14 Recording media 24 Cap 62 Control Unit

Claims

1. a recording means having a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink onto a recording medium; a first acquiring means for acquiring first information relating to the remaining amount of ink in an ink reservoir that stores ink to be supplied to the recording means; a second acquisition means for acquiring a recording job including information indicating the size of an image to be recorded and information indicating the maximum amount of ink that can be applied per unit area, and acquiring second information indicating the amount of ink required to complete recording of the image based on the information indicating the size of the image and the maximum amount of ink that can be applied; a determination means for determining whether to notify a user via a notification means based on the first information and the second information; A recording device comprising:

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made by the determination means before starting to record an image instructed by the recording job.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second acquisition means calculates the product of the area obtained from the information indicating the size of the image and the maximum ink application amount, and acquires the second information based on the product.

4. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the maximum amount of ink to be applied is a predetermined amount corresponding to at least one of information on the type of printing medium, information on printing quality, and information on color mode included in the printing job.

5. the second acquisition means further acquires third information indicating an amount of ink to be ejected in preliminary ejection until the printing of the image instructed by the printing job is completed, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means makes a determination based on the first information, the second information, and the third information.

6. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines to notify the user via the notifying means when the ink amount indicated by the second information is greater than the ink amount indicated by the first information.

7. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the determination means determines that a notification should be sent to the user via the notification means, the notification means sends a notification urging the user to replenish the ink reservoir with ink.

8. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the user to confirm whether or not to execute recording before starting recording of the image instructed by the recording job.

9. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that when information indicating that ink has been replenished in the ink storage section is detected in response to a notification from the notification means, the first acquisition means acquires the first information again.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the determination unit performs a determination again based on the first information and the second information acquired again by the first acquisition unit.

11. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information is information indicating that the remaining amount of ink in the ink reservoir is less than a predetermined amount.

12. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first acquisition means acquires first information regarding the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage section by measuring a voltage between a plurality of electrodes provided in the ink storage section.

13. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second acquisition means acquires the second information without counting the number of ejections required to record the image.

14. 1. A control method for a recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium using a recording means having a plurality of ejection ports for ejecting ink onto the recording medium, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring first information relating to the remaining amount of ink in an ink reservoir that stores ink to be supplied to the recording means; a second acquisition step of acquiring a recording job including information indicating the size of an image to be recorded and information indicating the maximum amount of ink that can be applied per unit area, and acquiring second information indicating the amount of ink required to complete recording of the image based on the information indicating the size of the image and the maximum amount of ink that can be applied; a determination step of determining whether to notify a user via a notification means based on the first information and the second information; A control method comprising:

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