Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing device that is configured to make it unnecessary for a user of the printing device to wait in front of an operation screen until the printing device is switched from a maintenance state where the device cannot perform printing into a state where the device can perform printing.SOLUTION: The printing device comprises a conveying mechanism that conveys a holding part that holds a medium, and a printing part that performs printing on the medium being conveyed by the conveying mechanism. The conveying mechanism receives a printing instruction and starts conveying the holding part, and makes the holding part wait at a printing start position, even in a busy state where maintenance of the printing part is performed. The printing part starts performing printing on the medium when the busy state is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In order to improve the productivity of printing, techniques for performing preparatory printing operations prior to receiving print data have been developed. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which maintenance operations and paper feeding / discharging operations of a printing apparatus are performed in parallel for the purpose of increasing the printing throughput.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, in the above technique, when the printing apparatus is in a preparation (maintenance) state, there is a problem that an instruction for printing processing cannot be immediately executed on an operation panel or the like.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus that enables an operator of the printing apparatus not to wait in front of an operation screen until the printing apparatus changes from a non-printable maintenance state to a printable state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes a transport mechanism that transports a holding unit that holds a medium, and a printing unit that prints on the medium transported by the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism receives a print instruction and starts transporting the holding unit even in a busy state in which maintenance of the printing unit is being performed, and waits the holding unit at a printing start position. The printing unit starts printing on the medium when the busy state is released.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the operator of a printing device does not have to wait in front of the operation screen until the printing device changes from a maintenance state where it is unable to print to a printable state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an inkjet printer to which the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transport platen in an inkjet printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the outline of the control unit of an inkjet printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow when printing is performed using a conventional inkjet printer. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow when printing is performed by an inkjet printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow when printing is performed by an inkjet printer according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the printing apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an inkjet printer to which the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in this embodiment, and also includes other forms such as multifunction printers and devices that print on fabrics other than paper.

[0010] This inkjet printer holds the carriage 100 with a slide rail 104 that is integrated with sheet metal, and moves and scans the carriage 100 in the main scanning direction via a timing belt 102 stretched between a drive pulley 106 and a driven pulley 107 by a main scanning motor 105.

[0011] The carriage 100 is equipped with a recording head 118 having four droplet ejection heads that eject ink droplets of each color, such as yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), black (K), white 1 (W1), and white 2 (W2). The recording head 118 has a nozzle row on its nozzle surface, which forms multiple ink ejection ports (nozzles), arranged in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction), and is mounted with the ink ejection port direction facing downwards. Here, one or more heads having multiple nozzle rows for ejecting droplets (ink droplets) of recording fluid of each color are used, but independent droplet ejection heads can also be used. Furthermore, the number of colors and the arrangement order of the droplet ejection heads are not limited to this.

[0012] As the inkjet head constituting the recording head 118, a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator that utilizes phase change due to film boiling of a liquid using an electrothermal conversion element such as a heating resistor, a shape memory alloy actuator that uses metal phase change due to temperature change, an electrostatic actuator that uses electrostatic force, etc., can be used, and these can be equipped as a pressure generating means that generates pressure for ejecting droplets.

[0013] Furthermore, the carriage 100 is equipped with an encoder scale 103 with slits formed therein along the main scanning direction, and the carriage 100 is also equipped with an encoder sensor 117 that detects the slits of the encoder scale 103. These components together constitute a linear encoder for detecting the position of the carriage 100 in the main scanning direction.

[0014] On the other hand, in order to transport the recording medium 108, the system is equipped with a transport platen 101, which is a transport means for transporting the recording medium 108 at a position facing the recording head 118. This transport platen 101 is driven by a sub-scanning motor 8, which rotates the transport rollers 109 via a timing belt 114 stretched between a transport drive pulley 112 and a transport roller pulley 113.

[0015] The transport platen 101 has an encoder wheel 115 with a slit formed on it, mounted coaxially with the transport roller 109. An encoder sensor 116 for detecting the slit in the encoder wheel 115 is provided on the side plate, and these constitute a wheel encoder for detecting the sub-scanning position of the transport platen 101. This transport platen 101 is a flatbed type and is transported horizontally in the sub-scanning direction via a timing belt 119 stretched between the transport roller 109 and the tension roller 110.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transport platen in an inkjet printer according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the transport platen 101 is an example of a holding part that holds a recording medium 108 (an example of a medium), such as a lifting platen. As shown in Figure 2, the inkjet printer has a platen lifting motor 9 that moves the transport platen 101 up and down via a gear 10, such as a stepping motor (or DC motor). That is, the platen lifting motor 9 and the gear 10 are an example of a transport mechanism that transports the transport platen 101. Specifically, the platen lifting motor 9 and the gear 10 are a transport mechanism that transports the transport platen 101 from the standby position to the printing start position.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of an outline of a control unit of an inkjet printer according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printer according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 2, a printer driver 3, an operation panel 4, a head driver 5, a main scanning motor 6, a linear encoder 7, a sub-scanning motor 8, a wheel encoder 11, a carriage 100, a platen lifting motor 9, and a transport platen 101.

[0018] The control unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a non-volatile RAM 204, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 205. The CPU 201 serves as means for controlling the entire inkjet printer and also serves as means for controlling the paper transport operation and the movement operation of the recording head 118.

[0019] [[ID=⑧]]The ROM 202 stores programs executed by the CPU ②01 and other fixed data. The RAM 203 temporarily stores image data and the like. The non-volatile RAM 204 is a rewritable memory for holding data even while the power of the inkjet printer is turned off. The ASIC 205 performs various signal processes on the image data, image processing such as rearrangement, and processes input / output signals for controlling the entire apparatus.

[0020] Further, the control unit 2 includes a host I / F 206, a print control unit (head control unit) 207, a main scanning motor drive unit 208, a sub-scanning motor drive unit 209, an I / O 210, and a gap adjustment unit 211. The host I / F 206 is an I / F for transmitting and receiving data and various signals with the host side. The print control unit 207 generates a drive waveform for driving the recording head 118 and outputs image data for selectively driving the pressure generating means of the recording head 118 and various data associated therewith to the head driver 5.

[0021] The main scanning motor drive unit 208 drives the main scanning motor 6. The sub-scanning motor drive unit 209 drives the sub-scanning motor 8. The I / O 210 is an I / O for inputting detection pulses from the linear encoder 7, the wheel encoder 11, and detection signals from other various sensors. The operation panel 4 inputs and displays information necessary for the inkjet printer. Specifically, the operation panel 4 accepts a print instruction from the operator of the inkjet printer and the like.

[0022] Here, the control unit 2 receives print data and the like generated by the printer driver 3 of a host such as an information processing device like a personal computer, an image reading device like an image scanner, an imaging device like a digital camera, etc. via a cable or a network at the host I / F 206.

[0023] Then, the CPU 201 reads and analyzes the print data in the receive buffer included in the host I / F 206, performs necessary image processing, data rearrangement processing, etc. in the ASIC 205, transfers it to the print control unit 207, and outputs image data and drive waveforms to the head driver 5 from the print control unit 207 at the required timing. Note that the generation of dot pattern data for image output may be performed, for example, by storing font data in the ROM 202, or the host-side printer driver 3 may expand the image data into bitmap data and transfer it to the inkjet printer. Here, it is performed by the printer driver 3.

[0024] The drive waveform generation unit of the print control unit 207 has a D / A converter that D / A-converts the pattern data of drive pulses stored in the ROM 202 and read by the CPU 201, an amplifier, etc., and outputs a drive waveform composed of one drive pulse or a plurality of drive pulses to the head driver 5.

[0025] The head driver 5 selectively applies drive pulses, which constitute the drive waveform provided by the drive waveform generation unit of the print control unit 207, to the pressure generating means of the recording head 118. This drives the recording head 118. In this embodiment, the head driver 5 and the recording head 118 function as an example of a printing unit that prints on a recording medium 108 held by a transport platen 101 transported to the print start position. The drive waveform generation unit of the print control unit 207 generates a drive waveform based on image data (dot pattern data) corresponding to one line of the recording head 118, which is input serially. The head driver 5 includes, for example, a shift register, a latch circuit, a level conversion circuit, and an analog switch array. The shift register receives a clock signal and serial data, which is image data. The latch circuit latches the register value of the shift register with a latch signal. The level conversion circuit is a level shifter that changes the output value of the latch circuit. The analog switch array is a switching means whose on / off state is controlled by this level shifter. By controlling the on / off state of the analog switch array, the required drive pulses included in the drive waveform are selectively applied to the pressure generating means of the recording head 118.

[0026] The gap adjustment unit 211 drives the transport platen 101 up and down with the platen lifting motor 9, and detects the transport platen 101 with an LED sensor to adjust its height.

[0027] Here, we will describe an example of the printing procedure in a conventional inkjet printer. First, when the operator of the inkjet printer presses the height adjustment button on the control panel 4 and selects the transport platen 101 on the control panel 4, the control unit 2 controls the platen lifting motor 9 via the gap adjustment unit 211 to adjust the height of the transport platen 101. As a result, the control unit 2 moves the transport platen 101 from the standby position to the printing start position.

[0028] Next, when image data stored in the main unit's memory or USB memory is selected on the control panel 4, the control unit 2 outputs the image data to the head driver 5. Then, when the print start button on the control panel 4 is pressed, the head driver 5 controls the recording head 118 to print the image data onto the recording medium 108.

[0029] Once printing to the recording medium 108 is complete, the control unit 2 begins maintenance of the recording head 118. During maintenance of the recording head 118, the control panel 4 disables the USB memory button and the print start button, and does not accept print commands from the operator. As a result, the control unit 2 cannot output image data to the head driver 5. Even if the operator presses the print start button on the control panel 4, printing cannot be started, and the control panel 4 displays a message indicating that it is busy and cannot print.

[0030] Once maintenance on the recording head 118 is complete and the busy state is released, the control panel 4 changes the USB memory button and the print start button to an operable state. When the print start button on the control panel 4 is pressed, the control unit 2 sends the image data to the head driver 5 and starts printing to the recording medium 108.

[0031] Next, an example of the printing procedure in the inkjet printer according to this embodiment will be described. First, when the operator of the inkjet printer presses the height adjustment button on the control panel 4 and selects the transport platen 101 on the control panel 4, the control unit 2 controls the platen lifting motor 9 via the gap adjustment unit 111 to adjust the height of the transport platen 101. As a result, the control unit 2 moves the transport platen 101 from the standby position to the printing start position.

[0032] Next, when image data stored in the main unit's memory or USB memory is selected on the control panel 4, the control unit 2 outputs the image data to the head driver 5. Then, when the print start button on the control panel 4 is pressed, the head driver 5 controls the recording head 118 to print the image data onto the recording medium 108.

[0033] Once printing to the recording medium 108 is complete, the control unit 2 begins maintenance of the recording head 118. During the maintenance of the recording head 118, the operation panel 4 enables the USB memory button and the print start button to accept print commands from the operator. When a print command is received by the operation panel 4 while the recording head 118 is being maintained (busy state), the control unit 2 outputs image data to the head driver 5. The head driver 5 then begins printing to the recording medium 108 once the maintenance of the recording head 118 is complete.

[0034] Here, a print command is input by pressing the print start button (an example of a print command button) on the control panel 4. The print start button remains active even when the recording head 118 is busy during maintenance. Here, the print start button being active means that it is in a state where it can be pressed (operated), that is, a state where a print command can be input. In this embodiment, the print start button (software key) is provided on the control panel 4, but it is not limited to this, and the print start button may be provided as a physical button (hardware key).

[0035] Specifically, even when the recording head 118 is busy undergoing maintenance, the control panel 4 accepts print commands from the operator. Upon receiving a print command, the control unit 2 controls the platen lifting motor 9 via the gap adjustment unit 111 to begin transporting the transport platen 101 and position the transport platen 101 at the print start position. Then, when the busy state is resolved, the control unit 2 controls the head driver 5 to begin printing to the recording medium 108. This allows print commands to be executed even while the recording head 118 is undergoing maintenance. As a result, the inkjet printer operator does not have to wait in front of the control panel 4 until the inkjet printer changes from a non-printable maintenance state to a printable state.

[0036] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow when printing is performed using a conventional inkjet printer. First, the inkjet printer operator presses the USB memory button on the control panel 4 to select a print job (step S401), and then presses the print start button on the control panel 4 (step S402). At this point, the control unit 2 moves the transport platen 101 to the print start position (step S403).

[0037] Next, the control unit 2 controls the head driver 5 to start printing on the recording medium 108, such as paper (step S404). When printing on the recording medium 108 is finished, the control unit 2 starts maintenance on the printing unit, such as the recording head 118 (step S405). Furthermore, the control unit 2 moves the transport platen 101 from the printing start position to the standby position (step S406).

[0038] While the printing unit is undergoing maintenance, the control unit 2 waits for the maintenance to finish (step S407) and determines whether the maintenance has finished or not (step S408). If the maintenance is not finished (step S408: No), the control unit 2 returns to step S407 and waits for the maintenance to finish. On the other hand, if the maintenance is finished (step S408: Yes), the control unit 2 changes the USB memory button and print start button on the operation panel 4 to an operable, enabled state (step S409). In other words, in conventional inkjet printers, the UI of the operation panel 4 (USB memory button and print start button) cannot be operated and print commands cannot be executed until maintenance is finished.

[0039] Next, the control unit 2 determines whether or not to terminate printing (step S410). If printing is not terminated (step S410: No), the control unit 2 returns to step S401. On the other hand, if printing is terminated (step S410: Yes), the control unit 2 terminates printing.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow when printing is performed by an inkjet printer according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the same processing as in Figure 3 will be omitted.

[0041] In this embodiment, even when the operation panel 4 is busy performing maintenance on the printing unit such as the recording head 118, it remains in an active state where the UI (e.g., USB memory button and print start button) on the operation panel 4 can be operated, and accepts print commands from the operator. When a print command from the operator is accepted, the transport mechanism (platen lifting motor 9 and gear 10) starts transporting the transport platen 101. After the transport platen 101 moves to the print start position (step S403), the control unit 2 makes the transport platen 101 wait at the print start position (step S501) and determines whether or not to wait for the maintenance of the printing unit to be completed (step S502).

[0042] If the printer is waiting for maintenance to finish (step S502: No), the control unit 2 waits for the maintenance to finish. On the other hand, if the maintenance is finished (step S502: Yes), that is, if the busy state is released, the control unit 2 proceeds to step S404 and the printer starts printing to the recording medium 108.

[0043] Thus, according to the inkjet printer of the first embodiment, print commands can be executed even when the recording head 118 is undergoing maintenance. As a result, the operator of the inkjet printer does not have to wait in front of the control panel 4 until the inkjet printer changes from a maintenance state where it cannot print to a printable state.

[0044] (Second Embodiment) This embodiment is an example in which, when the system is busy, it determines whether or not an error has occurred in the printing unit, and if an error occurs in the printing unit, it terminates printing to the recording medium. In the following description, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the explanation.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the head driver 5 is busy, it determines whether or not an error has occurred in the printing unit, such as the recording head 118. If an error occurs in the printing unit, the head driver 5 terminates printing to the recording medium 108. This allows printing to be terminated even if a print command has been accepted, if any error occurs during maintenance.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation panel 4 also functions as an example of a display unit that indicates that an error has occurred in the printing unit, such as the recording head 118, if an error occurs in the printing unit.

[0047] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow when printing is performed using an inkjet printer according to the second embodiment. In the following description, processing similar to that shown in Figure 4 will be omitted.

[0048] In this embodiment, when the printer receives a print command from the operator while in a busy state and the transport platen 101 moves to the print start position (step S403), the control unit 2 determines whether or not it is waiting for the maintenance of the printing unit to be completed (step S502). If it is waiting for the maintenance to be completed (step S502: No), the control unit 2 determines whether or not an error has occurred in the maintenance (step S601).

[0049] If an error occurs during maintenance (step S601: Yes), the control unit 2 displays an error to the operation panel 4 and terminates the printing process (step S602). On the other hand, if maintenance is performed normally (step S601: No), the control unit 2 returns to step S501 and waits for the maintenance to be completed.

[0050] On the other hand, if maintenance is completed (step S502: Yes), that is, if the busy state is released, the control unit 2 proceeds to step S404 and the printing unit starts printing to the recording medium 108.

[0051] Thus, according to the inkjet printer of the second embodiment, even if a print command has been accepted, printing can be terminated if any error occurs during maintenance.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus of the present invention is described using an example where it is applied to a multifunction device having at least two functions from among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. However, it can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a copier, printer, scanner, or facsimile device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 2 Control Unit 4. Control Panel 5 Head Drivers 9. Platen lifting motor 10 gears 100 Carriage 101 Conveyor Platen 108 Recording media 118 Recording head 211 Gap adjustment section [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0054] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-1186

Claims

1. A transport mechanism for transporting the holding part that holds the medium, The system comprises a printing unit that prints on the medium transported by the transport mechanism, Even when the printing unit is busy undergoing maintenance, the transport mechanism accepts a print command and starts transporting the holding unit, and keeps the holding unit waiting at the print start position. The printing unit is a printing device that starts printing on the medium when the busy state is resolved.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the printing unit is in a busy state, it determines whether or not an error has occurred in the printing unit, and if an error has occurred in the printing unit, it terminates printing on the medium.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that indicates that an error has occurred in the printing unit when an error occurs in the printing unit.

4. The aforementioned print command is entered by pressing the print command button. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print command button is in an active state that can be operated even when the busy state is reached.

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