Recording device

Abstract

To select whether or not to change a method for driving a head, in accordance with an image quality at the time when performing recording without changing the method for driving the head, when the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to a predetermined number or more.SOLUTION: Recording of a plurality of pages is performed (S101:YES), and recording of the first one page is performed by non-complementary recording (S105) when the number N1 of abnormal nozzles is equal to a predetermined number N1a or more (S102:YES). Thereafter, when continuation of the non-complementary recording is selected (S107:YES), recording of remaining pages is performed by non-complementary recording (S108), and when switching of the non-complementary recording to complementary recording is selected (S107:NO), recording of all pages is performed by the complementary recording (S109).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging a liquid from a nozzle.

Background Art

[0002] As a recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging a liquid from a nozzle, Patent Document 1 describes a printer that discharges ink from a nozzle to perform recording. In the printer of Patent Document 1, a plurality of discharge units are provided in a head unit. Each discharge unit has a nozzle and discharges ink from the nozzle. Further, in Patent Document 1, for each of the plurality of discharge units, a discharge state determination process for determining whether or not a discharge abnormality has occurred is executed.

[0003] When printing is performed with the printer of Patent Document 1, normal printing processing is executed when there is no abnormal discharge unit that is a discharge unit in an abnormal discharge state. On the other hand, when there is an abnormal discharge unit, it is determined whether or not complementary printing processing is possible, and when it is determined that complementary printing processing is possible, complementary printing processing is executed. In the complementary printing process, dots formed by increasing the discharge amount of ink from a complementary discharge unit adjacent to the abnormal discharge unit more than in the normal printing process are enlarged, so that the omission of dots corresponding to the abnormal discharge unit is made less noticeable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, when there is an abnormal ejection unit and complementary printing is possible, complementary printing is always performed to change the way the head is driven to eject ink from the nozzle. In this case, even if there is an abnormal ejection unit and printing is not performed without the above-mentioned complementary printing, the way the head is driven is changed.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a recording device that, even when there are more than a predetermined number of abnormal nozzles, can ensure image quality without changing the way the head is driven to eject liquid from the nozzles, and in such cases, does not require changing the way the head is driven to eject liquid from the nozzles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The recording device of the present invention comprises a head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid, and the plurality of nozzles in Abnormal nozzle exhibiting abnormal liquid discharge. The number of is greater than the specified number Whether or not Related to It comprises a storage unit for storing first information and a control unit, The plurality of nozzles have multiple types of nozzles, each discharging a different type of liquid. When the control unit receives recording data for recording to a recording medium, it receives recording data for either complementary recording, in which the head discharges liquid from the multiple nozzles and records, in which it does not compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal, or non-compensatory recording, in which the head discharges liquid from the multiple nozzles and records, in which it does not compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal, the first information is that the number of abnormal nozzles The aforementioned predetermined number That's all. If it indicates something If, among the multiple types of nozzles, the number of abnormal nozzles in the type of nozzle used when performing normal recording processing in which the head is made to perform non-passive recording in order to record all of the recording data is less than the predetermined number, the normal recording processing is performed; if, among the multiple types of nozzles, the number of abnormal nozzles in the type of nozzle used when performing normal recording processing based on the recording data is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, After causing the head to perform the uncompleted recording and record a portion of the recorded data, a second piece of information is obtained indicating whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording, and based on the second piece of information, the head is caused to perform either the uncompleted recording or the completed recording, thereby recording the recorded data at leastThe system will then perform an abnormality recording process to record the remaining portion. Furthermore, the recording device of the present invention comprises a head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid, a storage unit for storing first information relating to whether or not the number of abnormal nozzles with abnormal liquid discharge in the plurality of nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, and a control unit, wherein the control unit selectively causes the head to perform either complementary recording, in which the plurality of nozzles discharge liquid to compensate for the liquid discharge from the abnormal nozzles with the liquid discharge from other nozzles that are not abnormal, and non-compensatory recording, in which the plurality of nozzles discharge liquid to record without compensating for the liquid discharge from the abnormal nozzles with the liquid discharge from other nozzles that are not abnormal, and when it receives recording data for recording to a recording medium, If the first piece of information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the abnormal recording process is executed, in which the head is instructed to perform non-completed recording to record a portion of the recording data, and then second piece of information is obtained indicating whether to continue non-completed recording or switch to completed recording, and based on the second piece of information, the head is instructed to perform either non-completed recording or completed recording to record at least the remaining portion of the recording data, and in the abnormal recording process, if the second piece of information indicates to switch to completed recording, the head is instructed to perform completed recording to record all of the recording data, including the portion of the recording data. Furthermore, the recording device of the present invention comprises a head having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a first direction for discharging liquid, relative movement means for moving the head relative to a recording medium in the first direction and in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a storage unit for storing first information relating to whether or not the number of abnormal nozzles with abnormal liquid discharge in the plurality of nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, and a control unit, wherein the control unit causes the relative movement means to repeatedly perform a recording path in which the head is moved relative to the recording medium in the second direction while discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles, and a recording position movement operation in which the relative movement means moves the head relative to the recording medium in the first direction, thereby recording to the recording medium, and the plurality of nozzles are configured to compensate for the discharging of liquid from the abnormal nozzles by discharging liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal. When recording data is received for recording to a recording medium, and the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the abnormal recording process is executed, in which the head is instructed to perform either complementary recording, in which liquid is ejected from a nozzle to perform recording, or non-complementary recording, in which liquid is ejected from multiple nozzles to perform recording so that the ejection of liquid from the abnormal nozzle is not compensated for by the ejection of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal, the head is instructed to perform non-complementary recording to record a portion of the recording data, and then second information is obtained indicating whether to continue non-complementary recording or switch to complementary recording, and based on the second information, the head is instructed to perform either non-complementary recording or complementary recording to record at least the remaining portion of the recording data. In the interpolated recording, the amount of relative movement of the head in the first direction with respect to the recording medium during the recording position movement operation is made different from that of the uninterrupted recording, thereby enabling recording with a higher resolution in the first direction than the uninterrupted recording. Furthermore, the recording device of the present invention comprises a head having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid, a storage unit that stores first information relating to whether or not the number of abnormal nozzles with abnormal liquid discharge in the plurality of nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, and a control unit, wherein the control unit selectively causes the head to perform either complementary recording, in which liquid is discharged from the plurality of nozzles to compensate for the liquid discharge from the abnormal nozzles with liquid discharge from other nozzles that are not abnormal, or non-compensatory recording, in which liquid is discharged from the plurality of nozzles to perform recording without compensating for the liquid discharge from the abnormal nozzles with liquid discharge from other nozzles that are not abnormal, and when recording data for recording to a recording medium is received, if the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the control unit causes the head to perform non-compensatory recording to record a portion of the recording data. The first unit obtains second information indicating whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording, and performs an abnormal recording process which causes the head to perform either the uncompleted recording or the completed recording based on the second information, thereby recording at least the remaining portion of the recorded data. The storage unit stores third information indicating whether or not to perform the abnormal recording process. The control unit performs the abnormal recording process if the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and the third information indicates that the abnormal recording process should be performed. If the third information indicates that the abnormal recording process should not be performed, the control unit performs the complete recording of the recorded data by selectively causing the head to perform either the completed recording or the uncompleted recording based on conditions other than whether or not the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In this invention, when the number of abnormal nozzles exceeds a predetermined number, the head is made to perform uncompleted recording to record a portion of the recording data, then second information is acquired, and based on the second information, the head is made to perform either uncompleted recording or completed recording to record the remaining portion of the recording data. This makes it possible to select whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording depending on the recording result of uncompleted recording for a portion of the recording data.

[0011] Furthermore, in this invention, if the number of abnormal nozzles exceeds a predetermined number, the head is made to perform high-speed recording to record a portion of the recording data, then second information is acquired, and based on the second information, the head is made to perform either high-speed recording or low-speed recording to record the remaining portion of the recording data. This makes it possible to select whether to continue high-speed recording or switch to low-speed recording depending on the recording result of high-speed recording for a portion of the recording data.

[0012] Furthermore, in this invention, if the number of abnormal nozzles exceeds a predetermined number, the head is made to perform low-power recording to record a portion of the recording data, then second information is acquired, and based on the second information, the head is made to perform either low-power recording or high-power recording to record the remaining portion of the recording data. This makes it possible to select whether to continue low-power recording or switch to high-power recording depending on the recording result of low-power recording for a portion of the recording data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the printer according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the electrodes placed inside the cap, and the connection relationships between the electrodes and the high-voltage power supply circuit and signal processing circuit. [Figure 3] (a) is a diagram showing the signal output from the signal processing circuit when ink is ejected from the nozzle during the test drive, and (b) is a diagram showing the signal output from the signal processing circuit when ink is not ejected from the nozzle during the test drive. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a printer. [Figure 5] (a) is a diagram illustrating uncompleted recording, and (b) is a diagram illustrating completed recording, which increases the number of recording passes that form a single raster line. [Figure 6] (a) is a flowchart showing the processing flow by the control unit when a recording signal is received, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the screen for selecting whether or not to continue unpasteurized recording. [Figure 7] This flowchart corresponds to Figure 6(a) and shows how to perform either normal recording processing or abnormal recording processing depending on the number of abnormal nozzles in the type of nozzle used for recording. [Figure 8] This flowchart corresponds to Figure 5(a) and shows the case where either normal recording processing or abnormal recording processing is performed depending on the number of abnormal nozzles in the nozzle used when non-perfective recording is performed based on recorded data. [Figure 9] (a) is a diagram illustrating the interpolation recording that increases resolution, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the interpolation recording that increases the amount of ink ejected from nozzles adjacent to the abnormal nozzle. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the recording device and the external device in an example where a screen is displayed on the display unit of the external device to allow the user to select whether or not to continue unenhanced recording. [Figure 11]It is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 6(a) in an example of displaying a screen for allowing selection of whether to continue non-complementary recording on a display unit of an external device. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the processing flow during recording in an example where it is possible to set whether to execute abnormal-time recording processing.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0015] <Overall Configuration of Printer> As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 (the "recording device" of the present invention) according to this embodiment includes a carriage 2, a sub-tank 3, an inkjet head 4 (the "head" of the present invention), a platen 5, conveyance rollers 6, 7, a maintenance unit 8, and the like.

[0016] The carriage 2 is supported by two guide rails 11, 12 extending in the scanning direction. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the right side and the left side in the scanning direction (the "second direction" of the present invention) will be defined for explanation. The carriage 2 is connected to a carriage motor 86 (see FIG. 4) via a belt or the like not shown. When the carriage motor 86 is driven, the carriage 2 moves in the scanning direction along the guide rails 11, 12.

[0017] The sub-tank 3 is mounted on the carriage 2. Here, the printer 1 includes a cartridge holder 13. Four ink cartridges 14 are removably attached to the cartridge holder 13. The four ink cartridges 14 attached to the cartridge holder 13 are arranged side by side in the scanning direction, and store black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks (the "liquid" of the present invention) in order from the one located on the right side in the scanning direction.

[0018] The inkjet head 4 is mounted on the carriage 2 and connected to the lower end of the sub-tank 3. The inkjet head 4 is supplied with the four colors of ink from the sub-tank 3. The inkjet head 4 also ejects ink from a plurality of nozzles 10 formed on its lower surface, the nozzle surface 4a. More specifically, the plurality of nozzles 10 are arranged in a transport direction (the "first direction" of this invention) perpendicular to the scanning direction to form a nozzle row 9, and four rows of nozzle rows 9 are arranged in the scanning direction on the nozzle surface 4a. From the plurality of nozzles 10, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected in order, starting from the nozzle row 9 on the right side in the scanning direction.

[0019] The platen 5 is positioned below the inkjet head 4 and faces multiple nozzles 10. The platen 5 extends along the entire length of the recording paper P in the scanning direction and supports the recording paper P from below. The transport roller 6 is positioned upstream of the inkjet head 4 and platen 5 in the transport direction. The transport roller 7 is positioned downstream of the inkjet head 4 and platen 5 in the transport direction. The transport rollers 6 and 7 are connected to a transport motor 87 (see Figure 4) via gears or the like (not shown). When the transport motor 87 is driven, the transport rollers 6 and 7 rotate, and the recording paper P is transported in the transport direction.

[0020] The maintenance unit 8 comprises a cap 71, a suction pump 72, and a waste liquid tank 73. The cap 71 is positioned to the right of the platen 5 in the scanning direction. When the carriage 2 is positioned in the maintenance position to the right of the platen 5 in the scanning direction, multiple nozzles 10 face the cap 71.

[0021] Furthermore, the cap 71 is connected to a cap lifting mechanism 88 (see Figure 4). When the cap lifting mechanism 88 is driven, the cap 71 moves up and down. With the carriage 2 positioned in the maintenance position described above, the cap 71 faces the multiple nozzles 10. When the cap 71 is raised by the cap lifting mechanism 88, the upper end of the cap 71 comes into close contact with the nozzle surface 4a. This results in a capped state where the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4 are covered by the cap portion 71. When the cap 71 is lowered, the multiple nozzles 10 are not covered by the cap 71. Note that the cap 71 is not limited to covering the multiple nozzles 10 by coming into close contact with the nozzle surface 4a. For example, the cap 71 may cover the multiple nozzles 10 by coming into close contact with a frame (not shown) or the like, which is arranged around the nozzle surface 4a of the inkjet head 4.

[0022] The suction pump 72 is a tube pump or the like and is connected to the cap 71 and the waste liquid tank 73. When the maintenance unit 8 is capped and the suction pump 72 is driven, a suction purge can be performed to discharge ink from the inkjet head 4 through multiple nozzles 10. The ink discharged by the suction purge is stored in the waste liquid tank 73.

[0023] For convenience, the explanation here assumes that the cap 71 covers all nozzles 10 together, and that during suction purging, ink is discharged from all nozzles 10 within the inkjet head 4. However, this is not the only possible configuration. For example, the cap 71 may have separate parts: one covering multiple nozzles 10 that make up the rightmost nozzle row 9 that ejects black ink, and another covering multiple nozzles 10 that make up the leftmost three rows of nozzles 9 that eject color ink. This allows for selective discharge of either black ink or color ink within the inkjet head 4 during suction purging. Alternatively, for example, the cap 71 may be provided individually for each nozzle row 9, allowing for individual discharge of ink from each nozzle 10 during suction purging.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, electrodes 76, each having a rectangular planar shape, are arranged inside the cap 71. The electrodes 76 are connected to a high-voltage power supply circuit 77 via a resistor 79. The high-voltage power supply circuit 77 applies a predetermined voltage (for example, about 600V) to the electrodes 76 when performing the test drive described later. Meanwhile, the inkjet head 4 is held at ground potential. This creates a predetermined potential difference between the inkjet head 4 and the electrodes 76. A signal processing circuit 78 is connected to the electrodes 76. The signal processing circuit 78 includes a differentiating circuit and outputs a signal corresponding to the voltage of the electrodes 76. However, the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78 may be a current signal.

[0025] With the capped state described above, and with a voltage applied to the electrode 76 by the high-voltage power supply circuit 77, and without performing the test drive described later, the voltage of the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78 will be the voltage V0 shown in Figures 3(a) and (b).

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, with the cap in place, and with a voltage applied to the electrode 76 by the high-voltage power supply circuit 77, the inkjet head 4 can be driven to perform a test run to eject ink from each of the multiple nozzles 10 toward the electrode 76.

[0027] When ink is ejected from nozzle 10 by the test drive, the ejected ink is charged. As a result, the charged ink approaches electrode 76, and the potential of electrode 76 changes until the ink lands on electrode 76. After the charged ink lands on electrode 76, the potential of electrode 76 decays and returns to the potential it was at before the ink was ejected.

[0028] At this time, as shown in Figure 3(a), the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78 rises from voltage V0 to voltage V1, which is higher than voltage V0, then falls to voltage V2, which is lower than voltage V0, and then returns to voltage V0 while repeatedly rising and falling with attenuation. As a result, the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78 has a maximum value of voltage V1 and a minimum value of voltage V2.

[0029] On the other hand, if ink is not ejected from the nozzle 10 due to the test drive, the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78 hardly changes from the voltage V0, as shown in Figure 3(b).

[0030] Thus, in this embodiment, the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78 differs depending on whether or not ink was ejected from the nozzle 10 by the test drive. The printer 1 can then use this to determine, as will be described later, whether or not the nozzle 10 is a faulty nozzle with an abnormal ink ejection problem.

[0031] In this embodiment, a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode 76 to maintain the inkjet head 4 at ground potential, and the signal processing circuit 78 is configured to output a signal corresponding to the voltage of the electrode 76. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. Alternatively, the electrode 76 may be maintained at ground potential, and a predetermined voltage may be applied to the inkjet head 4 to create a potential difference between the electrode 76 and the inkjet head 4. The signal processing circuit 78 may then be connected to the inkjet head 4 and output a signal corresponding to the voltage of the inkjet head 4.

[0032] <Electrical configuration of the printer> Next, the electrical configuration of printer 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 4, printer 1 is equipped with a control unit 80. The control unit 80 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, ROM (Read Only Memory) 82, RAM (Random Access Memory) 83, flash memory 84 (the "storage unit" of the present invention), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 85, etc. The control unit 80 controls the operation of the carriage motor 86, inkjet head 4, transport motor 87, cap lifting mechanism 88, suction pump 72, high-voltage power supply circuit 77, etc. The control unit 80 also receives signals from the signal processing circuit 78, etc.

[0033] In addition to the configuration described above, the printer 1 also includes a display unit 69 and an operation unit 68. The display unit 69 is, for example, a liquid crystal display provided on the housing of the printer 1. The control unit 80 controls the display unit 69 to display information necessary for the operation of the printer 1. The operation unit 68 is, for example, buttons provided on the housing of the printer 1 or a touch panel provided on the display unit 69. The operation unit 68 receives signals based on user operations and transmits the received signals to the control unit 80.

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit 80 may be configured such that only the CPU 81 performs the various processing, or only the ASIC 85 performs the various processing, or the CPU 81 and ASIC 85 perform the various processing in cooperation. Also, the control unit 80 may be configured such that one CPU 81 performs the processing alone, or multiple CPUs 81 share the processing. Furthermore, the control unit 80 may be configured such that one ASIC 85 performs the processing alone, or multiple ASICs 85 share the processing.

[0035] <Determination of whether or not it is an abnormal nozzle> Next, the process for determining whether each of the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4 is an abnormal nozzle in the printer 1 will be described. In the printer 1, the control unit 80 controls the carriage motor 86, the cap lifting mechanism 88, etc. to put them in the capped state, and then, with the high-voltage power supply circuit 77 applying voltage to the electrodes 76, the inkjet head 4 is made to perform a test drive for each of the multiple nozzles 10. At this time, based on the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78, it is determined whether or not the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle. Then, the abnormal nozzle information (the "first information" of the present invention), which is information on whether or not each nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle, is stored in the flash memory 84.

[0036] The process described above, which determines whether each nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle and stores the result in the flash memory 84, is performed at an appropriate time. For example, the above process may be performed at a predetermined time. Alternatively, the above process may be performed immediately before the start of the flow shown in Figure 6(a), which will be described later, after receiving recording data instructing recording on the recording paper P. Alternatively, the above process may be performed when a predetermined number of recordings have been made on the recording paper P since the last time the above process was performed. Alternatively, the above process may be performed when a predetermined error has occurred in the printer 1 and that error has been resolved.

[0037] <Processing during recording> Next, we will explain the processing performed by the control unit 80 when recording on the recording paper P in the printer 1.

[0038] In the printer 1, the control unit 80 controls the carriage motor 86 to move the carriage 2 in the scanning direction, causing the inkjet head 4 to eject ink from multiple nozzles 10 in a recording path, and controls the transport motor 87 to transport the recording paper P to the transport rollers 6 and 7 in the transport direction, thereby repeatedly performing a transport operation (the "recording position movement operation" of the present invention) and recording on the recording paper P. In this embodiment, when the carriage 2 moves in the scanning direction in the recording path, the inkjet head 4 moves relative to the recording paper P in the scanning direction. Also, when the recording paper P is transported in the transport direction in the transport operation, the inkjet head 4 moves relative to the recording paper P in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the carriage 2 and the transport rollers 6 and 7 correspond to the "relative movement means" of the present invention.

[0039] Furthermore, the printer 1 can selectively record onto the recording paper P using either non-completed recording or completed recording, under the control of the control unit 80.

[0040] In unpasteurized recording, as shown in Figure 5(a), a single raster line R is formed by multiple dots D aligned in the scanning direction in a single recording pass. That is, all of the multiple dots D that make up a single raster line R are formed by ink ejected from a single nozzle 10. Also in unpasteurized recording, the recording paper P is transported by a transport amount L1 during the transport operation. The transport amount L1 corresponds to the length of the nozzle row 9 in the transport direction. Here, in Figure 5(a), K is an integer of 1 or more, and the dots D formed in the K-th recording pass and the dots D formed in the (K+1)-th recording pass are shown.

[0041] In Figure 5(a), hatched dots D represent dots D formed in each recording path, while unhatched dots D represent dots D formed in previous recording paths. The same applies to Figures 5(b), 9, and 10, which will be discussed later.

[0042] If uninterrupted recording is performed with an abnormal nozzle present, all of the multiple dots D that form the raster line R corresponding to the abnormal nozzle will not be formed, resulting in the appearance of white streaks W extending in the scanning direction in the recorded image. White streaks W are linear regions that extend along the entire length of the image in the scanning direction, where the recording paper P is exposed due to the lack of dot D formation.

[0043] In Figure 5(a), the nozzle 10 marked with an "x" indicates an abnormal nozzle, and the dot D shown by the dashed line indicates the dot D corresponding to the abnormal nozzle (the dot D that is not formed). The same applies to Figures 5(b), 9, and 10, which will be described later.

[0044] In the supplementary recording process, as shown in Figure 5(b), the amount of recording paper transported during the transport operation is set to a transport amount L2, which is one-third of the transport amount L1. Furthermore, in each recording pass, ink is ejected from the nozzle 10 to form only about one-third of the multiple dots D that make up the raster line R. As a result, in the supplementary recording process, one raster line R is formed in three recording passes, and the multiple dots D that make up one raster line R are formed by ink ejected from three different nozzles 10.

[0045] In this case, even if some of the three nozzles 10 used to form a single raster line R are abnormal nozzles, ink is ejected from the remaining nozzles 10 that are not abnormal, thereby forming the dots D corresponding to the non-abnormal nozzles among the multiple dots D that form the raster line R. Therefore, the recorded image is less likely to have white streaks W extending along the entire length of the recorded image in the scanning direction, as described above, and the degradation of image quality is less noticeable. Here, when recording on the recording paper P by interpolation recording, the number of recording passes is greater than when recording on the recording paper P by non-interpolation recording, so the time required for image recording is longer. In other words, non-interpolation recording and interpolation recording in this embodiment correspond to "high-speed recording" and "low-speed recording" in the present invention, respectively.

[0046] Thus, in this embodiment, during interpolated recording, some of the dots that would form the raster line R corresponding to the abnormal nozzle in non-interpolated recording are formed by ink ejected from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal. In other words, the ejection of ink from the abnormal nozzle is complemented by the ejection of ink from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal.

[0047] Furthermore, in printer 1, when the control unit 80 receives recording data, it processes it according to the flow shown in Figure 6(a). To explain the flow in Figure 6(a) in more detail, the control unit 80 first determines whether the received recording data instructs the printer to record multiple pages (S101). If the recording data instructs the printer to record one page (S101: NO), it proceeds to S103. If the recording data instructs the printer to record multiple pages (S101: YES), the control unit 80 then determines, based on the abnormal nozzle information stored in the flash memory 84, whether the number N1 of abnormal nozzles in the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N1a (S102). Here, the predetermined number N1a may be 1 or 2 or more. Note that if the predetermined number N1a is 1, S102 will determine whether or not there is an abnormal nozzle among the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4.

[0048] If the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is less than the predetermined number N1a (S102: NO), proceed to S103. If the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number N1a (S102: YES), proceed to S104.

[0049] In S103, the control unit 80 performs the aforementioned uncompleted recording to record all pages. In this embodiment, the process performed by the control unit 80 in S103 to perform uncompleted recording to record all pages corresponds to the "normal recording process" of the present invention.

[0050] In S104, the control unit 80 performs the aforementioned uncompleted recording and records the first page. Subsequently, the control unit 80 executes the selection screen display process (S105). In the selection screen display process, the control unit 80 displays the selection screen 90 shown in Figure 6(b) on the display unit 69. The selection screen 90 has a message unit 91 (the "first object" of the present invention) and selection units 92a and 92b (the "second object" of the present invention).

[0051] The message section 91 displays a message indicating that the system can switch to supplemental recording if the image quality of the first page recorded is poor, and prompts the user to choose whether or not to switch to supplemental recording. The selection sections 92a and 92b allow the user to choose whether to continue with unsupplemented recording or switch to supplemental recording. If the user operates the operation unit 68 based on selection section 92a, a selection signal is input to indicate that unsupplemented recording should be continued. If the user operates the operation unit 68 based on selection section 92b, a selection signal is input to indicate that the system should switch to supplemental recording. Operating the operation unit 68 based on selection sections 92a and 92b means, for example, operating the buttons corresponding to selection sections 92a and 92b if the operation unit 68 is a button, or touching the parts of the touch panel where selection sections 92a and 92b are displayed if the operation unit 68 is a touch panel provided on the display unit 69.

[0052] Returning to Figure 6(a), the control unit 80 waits after the selection screen display process in S105 until it receives a selection signal (S106: NO). When the control unit 80 receives a selection signal (S106: YES), it decides whether to continue un-enhanced recording based on the received selection signal (S107). In other words, in this embodiment, the decision in S107 is made by acquiring information (the "second information" of the present invention) indicating whether to continue un-enhanced recording or switch to enhanced recording based on the received selection signal.

[0053] If it is determined to continue with uncompleted recording (S107:YES), the control unit 80 will perform the uncompleted recording described above and record the remaining pages of the multiple pages (S108), and then terminate the process.

[0054] If it is determined to switch to supplementary recording (S107: NO), the control unit 80 causes the system to perform the supplementary recording described above, recording all pages, including the first page (S109), and then terminates the process. In this embodiment, the processes from S104 to S109 correspond to the "abnormal recording process" of the present invention.

[0055] <Effects> In this embodiment, it is possible to selectively perform either uncompensated recording, which records ink ejection from an abnormal nozzle without compensating with ink ejection from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal, or compensated recording, which records ink ejection from an abnormal nozzle by compensating with ink ejection from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal. When recording multiple pages, if the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N1a, the inkjet head 4 is instructed to perform uncompensated recording to record the first page, and then information is obtained indicating whether to continue uncompensated recording or switch to compensated recording. Based on this information, the inkjet head 4 is instructed to perform either uncompensated recording or compensated recording to record the remaining pages of the recording data. This allows the user to check the recording result of the uncompensated recording for the first page and then choose whether to continue uncompensated recording or switch to compensated recording.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after recording the first page by performing uncompleted recording, a selection screen 90 including a message section 91 and selection sections 92a and 92b is displayed on the display unit 69. This informs the user that it is possible to switch to completed recording by displaying the message section 91, and allows the user to choose whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording by operating the operation unit 68 according to the selection sections 92a and 92b.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when switching to supplemental recording is selected, the inkjet head 4 is made to perform supplemental recording, thereby recording all pages. That is, the first page is also recorded again by supplemental recording. This allows the first page to be recorded by supplemental recording, according to the user's selection, when switching to supplemental recording is selected.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in complementary recording, the amount of recording paper P transported during the transport operation is made smaller than in non-complementary recording, and the number of recording passes required to record one raster line R is increased compared to non-complementary recording. As a result, some of the multiple dots that would form the raster line R corresponding to the abnormal nozzle when recording in non-complementary recording can be formed by ejecting ink from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal nozzles. In other words, the ejection of ink from the abnormal nozzle can be compensated for by the ejection of ink from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal nozzles.

[0059] <Variation> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible as long as they are within the scope of the claims.

[0060] For example, in the above embodiment, the execution of process S103 or processes S104 to S109 was switched based on whether the number N1 of abnormal nozzles in the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4 was equal to or greater than a predetermined number N1a, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0061] For example, in S102, it may be determined individually whether the number of abnormal nozzles in each nozzle row 9 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number. If the number of abnormal nozzles in all nozzle rows 9 is less than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S103, and if the number of abnormal nozzles in any of the nozzle rows 9 is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S104.

[0062] In Modification 1, when recording is performed in printer 1, the control unit 80 processes according to the flow shown in Figure 7. The flow in Figure 7 is the same as the flow in Figure 6(a), but with S102 replaced by S201. In S201, the control unit 80 determines whether the number of abnormal nozzles N2 in the nozzle row 9 used for recording (the type of nozzle 10 used for recording) among the four nozzle rows 9 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number N2a. Here, the predetermined number N2a may be 1 or 2 or more. If the predetermined number N2a is 1, S201 will determine whether or not there are abnormal nozzles in the nozzle row 9 used for recording.

[0063] Here, for example, if the recorded data indicates that monochrome recording will be performed, the rightmost nozzle row 9 that ejects black ink is the nozzle row 9 used for recording. Also, for example, if the recorded data indicates that color recording will be performed, all four nozzle rows 9 are nozzles 10 of the type used for recording. Furthermore, in the above case, since the number of nozzle rows 9 used for recording (the number of nozzles 10 of the type used for recording) differs between monochrome recording and color recording, the predetermined number N2a may be different for monochrome recording and color recording.

[0064] Then, if the number of abnormal nozzles N2 is less than the predetermined number N2a (S201:NO), proceed to S103. If the number of abnormal nozzles N2 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number N2a (S201:NO), proceed to S104.

[0065] In Modification 1, when the number of abnormal nozzles N2 in the nozzle row 9 of the color used for recording (nozzles 10 of the type used for recording) is less than a predetermined number N2a, all pages are recorded using unpasteurized recording (normal recording processing is performed). Also, when the number of abnormal nozzles N2 in the nozzle row 9 of the color used for recording is equal to or greater than the predetermined number N2a, abnormal recording processing is performed. This makes it possible to avoid unnecessarily performing abnormal recording processing when there are many abnormal nozzles in the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4, but many of these are abnormal nozzles of types not used for recording.

[0066] Furthermore, in Modification 1, in S201, it may be determined individually whether the number of abnormal nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number for each nozzle row 9 of the color used for recording. If the number of abnormal nozzles in all nozzle rows 9 of the color used for recording is less than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S103, and if the number of abnormal nozzles in any of the nozzle rows 9 of the color used for recording is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S104.

[0067] In Modification 2, when recording is performed in the printer 1, the control unit 80 processes according to the flow shown in Figure 8. The flow in Figure 8 is the same as the flow in Figure 6(a), but with S102 replaced by S301. In S301, the control unit 80 determines, based on the abnormal nozzle information stored in the flash memory 84 and the received recording data, whether the number of abnormal nozzles N3 in the nozzle 10 used when un-passive recording is performed based on the recording data is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N3a. Here, the predetermined number N3a may be 1 or 2 or more. If the predetermined number N3a is 1, S301 determines whether or not there is an abnormal nozzle among the nozzle 10 used for recording.

[0068] If the number of abnormal nozzles N3 is less than the predetermined number N3a (S301: NO), proceed to S103. If the number of abnormal nozzles N3 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number N3a (S301: YES), proceed to S104.

[0069] In Modification 2, when the number of abnormal nozzles N3 in the nozzle 10 used for recording is less than a predetermined number N3a, all pages are recorded using unpasteurized recording (normal recording processing is performed). Also, when the number of abnormal nozzles N3 in the nozzle 10 used for recording is equal to or greater than the predetermined number N3a, abnormal recording processing is performed. This makes it possible to avoid unnecessarily performing abnormal recording processing when there are many abnormal nozzles in the multiple nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4, but many of these abnormal nozzles are not used for recording.

[0070] Furthermore, in the modified example 2, in S301, it is determined whether the number of abnormal nozzles in the nozzles 10 used for recording is greater than or equal to a predetermined number for each nozzle row 9. If the number of abnormal nozzles in the nozzles 10 used for recording for all nozzle rows 9 is less than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S103. If the number of abnormal nozzles in the nozzles 10 used for recording for any nozzle row 9 is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the process proceeds to S104.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, one raster line R was formed in one recording pass in non-interpolated recording, and one raster line R was formed in three recording passes in interpolated recording, but this is not limited to this.

[0072] For example, in un-interpolated recording, one raster line R may be formed in one recording pass, while in interpolated recording, one raster line R may be formed in two or four or more recording passes.

[0073] Alternatively, for example, one raster line R may be formed in two or more recording passes in the un-completed recording, and one raster line R may be formed in more recording passes in the completed recording than in the un-completed recording.

[0074] Furthermore, in non-perfected recording, it is not limited to increasing the number of recording passes that form a single raster line R compared to perfected recording.

[0075] In Modification 3, un-enhanced recording is performed in the same manner as described in the above-described embodiment. However, unlike the above-described embodiment, in Modification 3, in enhanced recording, the recorded data is converted to an instruction to record images with higher resolution in the scanning direction (the "second direction" of the present invention) and the transport direction (the "first direction" of the present invention). Then, as shown in Figure 9(a), in each recording pass, the interval between ink impact positions in the scanning direction is made shorter than in un-enhanced recording, and the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 10 is made smaller than in un-enhanced recording. To make the interval between ink impact positions in the scanning direction in the recording pass shorter than in un-enhanced recording, for example, the time interval for ejecting ink from the nozzle 10 in the recording pass is made shorter than in un-enhanced recording, or the movement speed of the carriage 2 in the recording pass is made slower than in un-enhanced recording.

[0076] Furthermore, in Modification 3, in the supplementary recording, M is set to an odd number greater than or equal to 1, and the amount L3 of the recording paper P transported during the transport operation is set to a length of (M / 2) times the distance A between the nozzles 10 in the nozzle row 9. Note that Figure 9(a) shows the case where M=3.

[0077] As a result, in Modification 4, the image recorded in the interpolated recording has higher resolution in the scanning and transport directions than in the un-interpolated recording. In this case, if there is an abnormal nozzle, a dot D formed by ink ejected from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal will be placed in a part of the area where a dot D corresponding to the abnormal nozzle would not be formed when recording on the recording paper P with un-interpolated recording. As a result, as can be seen by comparing Figure 5(a) and Figure 9(a), in the interpolated recording, the length of the white streak W in the transport direction is shorter than in the un-interpolated recording, and the white streak W becomes less noticeable. Here, in Modification 3 as well, when recording on the recording paper P using interpolated recording, the number of recording passes is greater than when recording on the recording paper P using un-interpolated recording, so the time required for image recording is longer. In other words, the un-interpolated recording and interpolated recording in Modification 3 correspond to the "high-speed recording" and "low-speed recording" of the present invention, respectively.

[0078] In Modification 3, the resolution in the transport direction is increased in the supplemental recording compared to the non-supplemental recording. This allows a portion of the dot D formed by ink ejected from a non-abnormal nozzle 10 to be positioned in a portion of the area corresponding to the abnormal nozzle in the non-supplemental recording of the recording paper P. In other words, the ejection of ink from an abnormal nozzle can be compensated for by the ejection of ink from other non-abnormal nozzles 10.

[0079] In Modification 3, the resolution in both the scanning and transport directions is higher in the supplemented recording than in the unsupplemented recording, but this is not the only option. In Modification 4, the resolution in the transport direction only may be higher than in the unsupplemented recording.

[0080] In Modification 4, non-perfective recording is performed in the same manner as described in the above embodiment. However, in Modification 4, unlike the above embodiment, in the perfective recording, as shown in Figure 9(b), the amount of ink discharged from nozzles 10 adjacent to the abnormal nozzle in the recording path and on the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction (the "one direction" of this invention) is increased compared to non-perfective recording, thereby increasing the size of the dots D formed by the ink discharged from the nozzles 10. As a result, a portion of the dots D formed by the ink discharged from the nozzles 10 adjacent to the abnormal nozzle in the transport direction spills out into the area of ​​the recording paper P where no dots D corresponding to the abnormal nozzle were formed. As a result, as can be seen by comparing Figure 5(a) and Figure 9(b), the length of the white streak W in the transport direction is shortened, and the white streak W becomes less noticeable.

[0081] In Modification 4, during supplementary recording, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 10 adjacent to the abnormal nozzle in the transport direction is increased compared to non-supplementary recording. This allows a portion of the dot D formed by the ink ejected from the non-abnormal nozzle 10 to be positioned in a portion of the area on the recording paper P that corresponds to the abnormal nozzle when recorded in non-supplementary recording. In other words, the ink ejection from the abnormal nozzle can be supplemented by the ink ejection from the non-abnormal nozzle 10.

[0082] In Modification 4, when recording is performed on the recording paper P by complementary recording, the amount of ink ejected to form some dots is greater than when recording is performed on the recording paper P by non-complementary recording, so the amount of ink consumed for image recording is greater than with non-complementary recording. In other words, non-complementary recording and complementary recording in Modification 4 correspond to the "low-consumption recording" and "high-consumption recording" of the present invention, respectively.

[0083] Furthermore, in Modification 4, the driving time of the inkjet head 4 may be longer in order to increase the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 10 in order to form some dots, and in this case, the time required to record the image will be longer. In this case, the non-interpolated recording and interpolated recording in Modification 4 also correspond to the "high-speed recording" and "low-speed recording" of the present invention, respectively.

[0084] Furthermore, in Modification 4, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 10 adjacent to the abnormal nozzle on both the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction in the supplemented recording is greater than in the unsupplemented recording, but this is not limited to this. In the supplemented recording, the amount of ink ejected from only one of the nozzles 10 adjacent to the abnormal nozzle on both the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction is greater than in the unsupplemented recording.

[0085] Furthermore, in Modification 4, if the nozzle 10 furthest upstream in the transport direction is a faulty nozzle, the nozzle 10 furthest downstream in the transport direction may be considered as a nozzle 10 adjacent to the nozzle 10 furthest upstream in the transport direction, and the ink discharge amount may be increased compared to non-pasteurized recording. Furthermore, in Modification 3, if the nozzle 10 furthest downstream in the transport direction is a faulty nozzle, the nozzle 10 furthest upstream in the transport direction may be considered as a nozzle 10 adjacent to the nozzle 10 furthest downstream in the transport direction, and the ink discharge amount may be increased compared to non-pasteurized recording.

[0086] Furthermore, in the supplementary record, the ink ejection from the abnormal nozzle may be supplemented by the ink ejection from other nozzles 10 that are not abnormal, in a manner different from that described above.

[0087] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows the selection screen 90 on the display unit 69 of the printer 1, it is not limited to this.

[0088] In Modification 5, as shown in Figure 10, the printer 100 has a communication unit 101 in addition to the same configuration as the printer 1 in the above-described embodiment. The communication unit 101 is connected to an external device 110 in a communicative manner. The communication unit 101 may be able to communicate with the external device 110 by being connected to the external device 110 by a wired connection, or it may be able to communicate with the external device 110 by being connected to the external device 110 wirelessly.

[0089] The external device 110 is, for example, a PC or a smartphone, and has a control unit 111, a display unit 112, and an operation unit 113. The control unit 111 of the external device 110 consists of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The display unit 112 is a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation unit 113 is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard or mouse for a PC, or a touch panel for a smartphone.

[0090] In the modified example 5, when the printer 100 performs recording, the control unit 80 processes according to the flow shown in Figure 11. The flow in Figure 11 is obtained by replacing S105 and S106 in the flow in Figure 6(a) with S401 and S402, respectively.

[0091] In S401, the control unit 80 transmits a selection screen display signal to the external device 110 via the communication unit 101. The selection screen display signal is a signal that instructs the display unit 112 of the external device 110 to display a selection screen 90 similar to that shown in Figure 6(b). When the external device 110 receives the selection screen display signal, the control unit 111 causes the display unit 112 to display the selection screen 90. In modified example 5, when the user operates the operation unit 113 of the external device 110 based on the selection unit 92a of the selection screen 90 displayed on the display unit 112 of the external device 110, the control unit 111 of the external device 110 transmits a selection signal to the printer 100 indicating that non-augmented recording should continue. Also, when the user operates the operation unit 113 of the external device 110 based on the selection unit 92b of the selection screen 90 displayed on the display unit 112 of the external device 110, the control unit 111 of the external device 110 transmits a selection signal to the printer 100 indicating that it should switch to augmented recording.

[0092] After transmitting the selection screen display signal in S401, the control unit 80 waits until it receives a selection signal from the external device 110 (S402: NO). Then, when the control unit 80 receives a selection signal from the external device 110 (S402: YES), it proceeds to S107. In other words, in the modified example 5, the control unit 80 obtains information indicating whether to continue with un-enhanced recording or switch to enhanced recording based on the received selection signal, and makes the decision in S107.

[0093] In Modification 5, after recording the first page by performing uncompleted recording, a selection screen 90 is displayed on the display unit 112 of the external device 110. This informs the user that it is possible to switch to completed recording via the message unit 91, and allows the user to choose whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording by operating the operation unit 113 of the external device 110 according to the selection units 92a and 92b.

[0094] Furthermore, in the flow chart of Figure 10 of Modification Example 5, the process of S102 may be replaced with the process of S201 in Modification Example 1, or the process of S301 in Modification Example 2.

[0095] Furthermore, in the example of an anomaly, a selection screen 90 having a message section 91 and selection sections 92a and 92b was displayed on the display unit 69 of the printer 1 or the display unit 112 of the external device 110 to allow the user to choose whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording, but this is not limited to this. For example, instead of the selection screen 90, a screen having only the message section 91 may be displayed. Even in this case, the user can see the message section 91 and understand that they can switch to completed recording.

[0096] Furthermore, it is not necessary to display a screen on the display units 69 and 112 that allows the user to choose whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording. In this case, for example, the user may check the first page that has been recorded and then, regardless of the display on the display units 69 and 112, choose whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording by operating the operation unit 68 of the printer 1 or the operation unit 113 of the external device 110.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when switching to supplementary recording is selected, all pages, including the first page, are recorded using supplementary recording, but this is not limited to this. For example, when switching to supplementary recording is selected, only the remaining pages other than the first page may be recorded using supplementary recording.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when recording multiple pages and the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N1a, the first page is recorded using uncompleted recording, and the user is given the option to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording. However, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0099] For example, when recording multiple pages, and the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N1a, the first two or more consecutive pages, which constitute part of the multiple pages, may be recorded using uncompleted recording, and the user may be given the option to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording.

[0100] Alternatively, when recording on roll paper, and the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N1a, the system may record only a portion of the image corresponding to the recorded data using uncompleted recording, and allow the user to choose whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording.

[0101] Alternatively, if the printer is a label printer that records labels, and when recording multiple labels consecutively, if the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N1a, the first label may be recorded using uncompleted recording, and the user may be given the option to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording.

[0102] Furthermore, in the examples above, recording was performed either by recording all pages in uncompleted mode, or by recording some pages in uncompleted mode and allowing the user to choose whether to continue with uncompleted recording or switch to completed recording, but this is not limited to these methods.

[0103] In Modification 6, the printer 1 can store setting information in the flash memory 84 in advance based on the user's operation of the operation unit 68 when, for example, recording is not being performed on the recording paper P. The setting information is information set by the user before recording begins. The setting information includes first setting information (the "third information" of the present invention) indicating whether or not to perform abnormal recording processing (processing 104 to S109 of the above embodiment). If the first setting information indicates that abnormal recording processing will not be performed, the setting information further includes second setting information indicating whether to record using non-enhanced recording or enhanced recording when abnormal recording processing is not performed. The second setting information may be, for example, information indicating that all pages are always recorded using non-enhanced recording, or information indicating that all pages are always recorded using enhanced recording. Alternatively, the second setting information may be, for example, information on image quality settings such as high quality, low quality, or photographic recording, and indicate whether each image quality setting is recorded using non-enhanced recording or enhanced recording.

[0104] In the modified example 6, when recording is performed in the printer 1, the control unit 80 processes according to the flow shown in Figure 12. More specifically, the control unit 80 executes processes S101 and S102 as in the above embodiment, and if it is not a multi-page recording (S101: NO) or if the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is less than a predetermined number N1a (S102: NO), it executes process S103 and terminates the process.

[0105] If the recording consists of multiple pages (S101:YES) and the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number N1a (S102:YES), the control unit 80 determines whether or not to perform abnormal recording processing based on the first setting information stored in the flash memory 84 (S501). If it is determined that abnormal recording processing should be performed (S501:YES), the control unit 80 performs the processing in S104 to S109, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0106] If it is determined that the abnormal recording process should not be performed (S501: NO), the control unit 80 determines whether the second setting information stored in the flash memory 84 indicates that the data should be recorded using non-completed recording (S502). In the modified example 6, the condition that the second setting information indicates that the data should be recorded using non-completed recording corresponds to the "predetermined condition" of the present invention.

[0107] In S502, it is determined that the second setting information indicates that recording should be done without interpolation. For example, the second setting information indicates that all pages should always be recorded without interpolation. Alternatively, in S502, it is determined that the second setting information indicates that recording should be done without interpolation. For example, the second setting information indicates that the image quality setting indicates that recording should be done without interpolation. An image quality setting that indicates recording should be done without interpolation is, for example, a setting to record at low quality.

[0108] In S502, a case in which the second setting information is determined not to indicate recording with non-enhancement (but rather to indicate recording with enhancement) is, for example, when the second setting information indicates that all pages should always be recorded with enhancement. Alternatively, in S502, a case in which the second setting information is determined not to indicate recording with non-enhancement (but rather to indicate recording with enhancement) is, for example, when the second setting information indicates that the image quality setting indicates recording with enhancement. Image quality settings that indicate recording with enhancement include, for example, settings for recording in high quality or settings for recording photographs.

[0109] If the second setting information indicates that the recording will be done using uncompleted recording (S502:YES), proceed to S103. If the second setting information does not indicate that the recording will be done using uncompleted recording (i.e., it indicates that the recording will be done using completed recording) (S502:NO), proceed to S109.

[0110] In Modification 6, when the number of abnormal nozzles N1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number N1a, the user can choose whether or not to perform abnormal recording processing, and if abnormal recording processing is not performed, whether to record using unenhanced recording or enhanced recording.

[0111] Furthermore, in Modification 6, the condition that the second setting information indicates that non-supplementary recording is to be performed was set as a predetermined condition, but a different condition may be set as the predetermined condition.

[0112] Furthermore, in the flow chart of Figure 12 of Modification 6, the process of S102 may be replaced with the process of S201 in Modification 1, or the process of S301 in Modification 2. Also, in the flow chart of Figure 12 of Modification 6, the processes of S105 and S106 may be replaced with the processes of S401 and S402 in Modification 5.

[0113] Furthermore, in Modification 6, the user can set whether to record using uncompleted or completed recording when abnormal recording processing is not performed. When it is determined that abnormal recording processing will not be performed, the system switches between recording all pages using uncompleted recording or completing recording, depending on the user's setting, but it is not limited to this. For example, in Modification 6, the user may not be able to set whether to record using uncompleted or completed recording when abnormal recording processing is not performed. In that case, all pages may always be recorded using uncompleted recording when it is determined that abnormal recording processing will not be performed. Alternatively, in Modification 6, when it is determined that abnormal recording processing will not be performed, all pages may always be recorded using completed recording.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above example, when the number of abnormal nozzles exceeds a predetermined number, the user is given the option to continue with unenhanced recording or switch to enhanced recording based on the recording results for a portion of the recorded data recorded with unenhanced recording, but this is not limited to this. For example, in a printer, a scanner may be provided downstream of the inkjet head in the transport direction, and an image in which a portion of the recorded data has been recorded with unenhanced recording is read by the scanner. Based on the reading results from the scanner, the control unit may choose whether to continue with unenhanced recording or switch to enhanced recording. In this case, the information obtained by the control unit based on the reading results from the scanner, indicating whether to continue with unenhanced recording or switch to enhanced recording, corresponds to the "second information" of the present invention.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the inkjet head 4 was moved relative to the recording paper P in the transport direction by transporting the recording paper P on the transport rollers 6 and 7, but this is not the only possible configuration. For example, the carriage 2 may be mounted on a frame that is movable in the transport direction, and the inkjet head 4 may be moved relative to the recording paper P in the transport direction by moving the frame in the transport direction. In this case, the operation of moving the frame in the transport direction corresponds to the "recording position changing operation" of the present invention. Also, the carriage 2 and the frame that moves in the transport direction correspond to the "relative movement means" of the present invention.

[0116] Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment described an example in which the present invention is applied to a printer equipped with a so-called serial head that ejects ink from multiple nozzles while moving in the scanning direction together with the carriage, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a printer equipped with a so-called line head that extends along the entire length of the recording paper in the scanning direction.

[0117] In a line head, for example, multiple nozzles are arranged perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported, and ink is ejected from the multiple nozzles of the line head while the recording paper is transported in the transport direction to perform recording. In a printer equipped with a line head, if there is a faulty nozzle, white streaks extending in the direction in which the recording paper is transported will appear in the recorded image. Therefore, in a printer equipped with a line head, for example, during complementary recording, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle adjacent to the faulty nozzle is increased compared to non-compensated recording. This makes the white streaks less noticeable.

[0118] Furthermore, in the above example, the determination of whether the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle was made based on the signal output from the signal processing circuit 78 in response to the change in voltage at the electrode 76 located inside the cap 71 from the nozzle 10 when the inkjet head 4 was driven for inspection, but this is not the only method.

[0119] For example, instead of electrode 76, an electrode extending vertically and facing the space below nozzle 10 when carriage 2 is in the maintenance position may be provided. The signal processing circuit 78 may then output a signal corresponding to the change in voltage of the above electrode when inspection drive is performed with carriage 2 in the maintenance position.

[0120] Alternatively, for example, an optical sensor may be provided that directly detects the ink ejected from the nozzle 10 when the carriage 2 is in a predetermined position such as a maintenance position, and outputs a signal according to the detection result. Based on the signal output from this optical sensor, it may be determined whether or not the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle.

[0121] Alternatively, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4929699, a voltage detection circuit that detects changes in voltage when ink is ejected from a nozzle may be connected to the plate on which the nozzles of the inkjet head are formed, and it may be determined whether a nozzle is an abnormal nozzle based on the signal output from the voltage detection circuit when the operation to eject ink from the nozzle is performed with the carriage moved to the inspection position.

[0122] Alternatively, for example, the substrate of the inkjet head may be equipped with a temperature sensing element, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6231759. Then, after applying a first applied voltage to drive the heater for ink ejection, a second applied voltage may be applied to drive the heater to prevent ink ejection, and a signal may be output based on the temperature change detected by the temperature sensing element from the time the second applied voltage is applied until a predetermined time has elapsed, indicating whether the nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle or not.

[0123] Alternatively, the printer may be instructed to record a predetermined test pattern, and based on the recorded test pattern, it may be determined whether each nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle. In this case, if the printer is a multifunction device with a scanner, the recorded test pattern may be input by having the scanner read the test pattern. Alternatively, the recorded test pattern may be input by having the user operate the control unit 68 or an external device based on the recorded test pattern.

[0124] Furthermore, in the above example, all nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4 were subjected to a test drive to determine whether or not a nozzle 10 was an abnormal nozzle, but this is not limited to this. For example, only some nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4, such as every other nozzle 10 in each nozzle row 9, may be subjected to a test drive to determine whether or not a nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle. Then, for the remaining nozzles 10, it may be estimated whether or not a nozzle 10 is an abnormal nozzle based on the results of the determination for the aforementioned partial nozzles 10.

[0125] Furthermore, in the above example, we determined whether nozzle 10 is a defective nozzle based on whether or not ink was ejected from nozzle 10, but this is not the only way. For example, we may also determine whether or not nozzle 10 is a defective nozzle based on the direction and speed of ink ejection.

[0126] Furthermore, while the above describes an example of applying the present invention to an external device that can communicate with a printer that ejects ink from a nozzle and records on recording paper P, the invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to printers that record images on recording media other than recording paper, such as T-shirts, outdoor advertising sheets, cases for mobile devices such as smartphones, cardboard, and resin materials. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0127] 1: Printer 2: Carriage 4: Inkjet head 10: Nozzle 69: Display section 80: Control Unit 84: Flash memory 91: Message Section 92a, 92b: Selection section 100: Printer 110: External device 112: Display section

Claims

1. A head having multiple nozzles for dispensing liquid, A storage unit that stores first information relating to whether the number of abnormal nozzles exhibiting abnormal liquid discharge in the plurality of nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, It comprises a control unit and, The plurality of nozzles have multiple types of nozzles, each discharging a different type of liquid. The control unit, The head is selectively instructed to perform either complementary recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal, or non-compensatory recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as not to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal. When recording data is received to be recorded onto a recording medium, If the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, If, among the multiple types of nozzles mentioned above, the number of abnormal nozzles in the type of nozzle used when the head is to perform the uncompleted recording process to record all of the recorded data is less than the predetermined number, then the normal recording process is executed. A recording device characterized in that, if the number of abnormal nozzles among the plurality of nozzle types used when the normal recording process is performed based on the recorded data is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, the head is made to perform the uncompleted recording to record a portion of the recorded data, then second information is obtained indicating whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording, and based on the second information, the head is made to perform either the uncompleted recording or the completed recording to record at least the remaining portion of the recorded data, thereby performing an abnormal recording process.

2. A head having multiple nozzles for dispensing liquid, A storage unit that stores first information relating to whether the number of abnormal nozzles exhibiting abnormal liquid discharge in the plurality of nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, The head is selectively instructed to perform either complementary recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal, or non-compensatory recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as not to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal. When recording data is received to be recorded onto a recording medium, If the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, An abnormal recording process is performed in which, after causing the head to perform the uncompleted recording to record a portion of the recorded data, second information is obtained indicating whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording, and based on the second information, the head is caused to perform either the uncompleted recording or the completed recording to record at least the remaining portion of the recorded data, In the aforementioned abnormality recording process, A recording device characterized in that, when the second information indicates a switch to the supplementary recording, the head is made to perform the supplementary recording, thereby recording all of the recording data, including the part of the recording data.

3. A head having multiple nozzles arranged in a first direction for discharging liquid, Relative movement means for moving the head relative to the recording medium in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, A storage unit that stores first information relating to whether the number of abnormal nozzles exhibiting abnormal liquid discharge in the plurality of nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, The relative moving means is repeatedly made to perform a recording path in which the head is moved relative to the recording medium in the second direction while the head is ejected from the plurality of nozzles, and a recording position movement operation in which the head is moved relative to the recording medium in the first direction, thereby causing recording to be performed on the recording medium. The head is selectively instructed to perform either complementary recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal, or non-compensatory recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as not to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal. When recording data is received to be recorded onto a recording medium, If the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, An abnormal recording process is performed in which, after causing the head to perform the uncompleted recording to record a portion of the recorded data, second information is obtained indicating whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording, and based on the second information, the head is caused to perform either the uncompleted recording or the completed recording to record at least the remaining portion of the recorded data, A recording device characterized in that, in the interpolated recording, the amount of relative movement of the head with respect to the recording medium in the first direction during the recording position movement operation is made different from that of the un-interpolated recording, thereby enabling recording with a higher resolution in the first direction than the un-interpolated recording.

4. A head having multiple nozzles for dispensing liquid, A storage unit that stores first information relating to whether the number of abnormal nozzles exhibiting abnormal liquid discharge in the plurality of nozzles is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, It comprises a control unit and, The control unit, The head is selectively instructed to perform either complementary recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal, or non-compensatory recording, in which liquid is discharged from the multiple nozzles and recorded so as not to compensate for the discharge of liquid from the abnormal nozzle with the discharge of liquid from other nozzles that are not abnormal. When recording data is received to be recorded onto a recording medium, If the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, An abnormal recording process is performed in which, after causing the head to perform the uncompleted recording to record a portion of the recorded data, second information is obtained indicating whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording, and based on the second information, the head is caused to perform either the uncompleted recording or the completed recording to record at least the remaining portion of the recorded data, The storage unit stores third information indicating whether or not to execute the abnormality recording process, The control unit, If the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, If the third information indicates that the abnormality recording process should be executed, the abnormality recording process should be executed. A recording device characterized in that, if the third information indicates that the abnormal recording process should not be performed, the head is made to selectively perform either the supplemental recording or the non-supplementary recording based on a condition separate from whether the first information indicates that the number of abnormal nozzles is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, thereby recording all of the recording data.

5. Equipped with a display unit, The control unit, in the abnormality recording process, The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, after causing the head to perform the uncompleted recording to record a portion of the recording data, a first object indicating that it is possible to select whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording is displayed on the display unit.

6. The control unit, in the abnormality recording process, A second object, which allows the user to choose whether to continue the unenhanced recording or switch to the enhanced recording, is displayed on the display unit together with the first object. The recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that it acquires the second information by receiving a selection signal indicating a user's selection based on the second object.

7. It is connected to an external device equipped with a display unit in a communication manner. The control unit, in the abnormality recording process, The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, after causing the head to perform the uncompleted recording to record a portion of the recording data, a display signal is transmitted to the external device to cause a first object to be displayed on the display unit of the external device indicating that it is possible to select whether to continue the uncompleted recording or switch to the completed recording.

8. The control unit, in the abnormality recording process, A display signal is transmitted to the external device to display a second object, together with the first object, on the display unit of the external device, which allows the user to choose whether to continue the unenhanced recording or switch to the enhanced recording. The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that it acquires the second information by receiving a selection signal from the external device indicating a user's selection based on the second object.

9. The control unit, When the aforementioned recorded data is received, If, among the plurality of nozzles, the number of abnormal nozzles in the nozzles used when the head is to perform the uncompleted recording process to record all of the recording data is less than the predetermined number, then the normal recording process is executed. The recording device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that if the number of abnormal nozzles among the plurality of nozzles used when the normal recording process is executed based on the recorded data is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, the abnormal recording process is executed.

10. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the predetermined number is two or more.

11. The aforementioned recording data is data used to cause recording onto multiple recording media. The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the portion of the recorded data is the portion of the recorded data that corresponds to the first recording medium among the plurality of recording media.

12. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in the first direction, The head is provided with relative movement means for moving it relative to the recording medium in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, The control unit, Recording to the recording medium is performed by repeatedly causing the relative moving means to move the head relative to the recording medium in the second direction while discharging liquid from the plurality of nozzles to form dots on the recording medium, and causing the relative moving means to repeatedly perform a recording position movement operation in which the head is moved relative to the recording medium in the first direction. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the interpolated recording, the amount of movement between the head and the recording medium in the recording position movement operation is made smaller than in the un-interpolated recording, and the number of recording passes performed to form a single raster line in which multiple dots are aligned in the second direction is greater than in the un-interpolated recording.

13. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in one direction, The control unit, The recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the supplemented recording, the amount of liquid discharged from the nozzle adjacent to the abnormal nozzle in one direction is increased compared to the unsupplemented recording.

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