Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide means that can reduce amounts of liquid that is consumed in processing for restoring a head.SOLUTION: A control part 60 of a printer 10 determines whether or not an instruction inputted from an operation part 17 is an instruction for executing a purge P1 in which ink is consumed most, of purges P1-P3 which are a plurality of processing for restoring a head 32 that a user can select (S35), and determines whether a condition for executing the purge P1 is satisfied or not (S39 and S40) in accordance with the fact that the input instruction is the instruction for executing the purge P1 (S35:YES). The control part 60 executes the purge P1 (S41) in accordance with the fact that the condition for executing the purge P1 is satisfied (S40:YES), and executes the purge P2 or P3 in which ink is consumed less than in the purge P1 (S54 and S57) in accordance with the fact that it is determined that the condition for executing the purge P1 is not satisfied (S40:No).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device including a head having nozzles configured to eject liquid, and configured to perform recovery processing on the head. [Background Art]

[0002] Printers including a head having nozzles that eject ink are known. Such printers perform head recovery processing to eliminate ink ejection failure from the nozzles (hereinafter referred to as head ejection failure). For example, the printer executes the head recovery processing when instructed to perform the recovery processing by a user.

[0003] In relation to the present invention, Patent Document 1 describes a recovery device for an inkjet printer. When a recovery operation is repeated within a predetermined period of time after the end of the previous recovery operation, this recovery device counts the number of recovery operations, and changes the intensity of the recovery operation based on the intensity of the previous recovery operation and the counted number of operations. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-288872 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] There are a plurality of types of head recovery processing in printers with different intensities. Intensive recovery processing has the advantage of a high effect of eliminating head ejection failure, while it has the disadvantage of consuming a large amount of ink during the recovery processing. On the other hand, low-intensity recovery processing has the opposite advantages and disadvantages.

[0006] When a print head misfire occurs, printer users may repeatedly instruct the printer to perform a strong recovery process without considering the amount of ink consumed during the recovery process, in order to quickly resolve the misfire. If the printer repeatedly performs a strong recovery process in accordance with the user's instructions, it will consume more ink than necessary during the recovery process.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a means that can reduce the amount of liquid consumed in the head recovery process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The liquid dispensing device of the present invention comprises a head having a nozzle for dispensing liquid, an instruction input unit for inputting instructions from a user, and a control unit. The control unit performs a first determination process to determine whether the instruction input from the instruction input unit is an instruction to execute a first recovery process among a plurality of recovery processes of the head that can be selected by the user, in which the amount of liquid consumed is greater than a first threshold amount; a second determination process to determine whether the execution conditions for the first recovery process are met, in response to the determination in the first determination process that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process; and a recovery control process to execute the first recovery process in response to the determination in the second determination process that the execution conditions are met, and not to execute the first recovery process in response to the determination in the second determination process that the execution conditions are not met.

[0009] According to the above liquid dispensing device, even if the user instructs the execution of the first recovery process when the amount of liquid consumed exceeds the first threshold amount, the first recovery process will not be executed if the conditions for executing the first recovery process are not met. Therefore, the execution of the first recovery process can be limited, and the amount of liquid consumed in the head's recovery process can be reduced.

[0010] (2) Preferably, in the recovery control process, the control unit may, in response to the determination in the second decision process that the execution conditions are not met, execute a second recovery process that consumes less liquid than the first recovery process.

[0011] (3) Preferably, the execution conditions may be that a third recovery process, which consumes less liquid than the first recovery process, has been performed at intervals of less than 1 hour and more than 1 threshold times, and the elapsed time since the last execution of the third recovery process is less than 1 hour.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the execution condition is that the elapsed time after the execution of the first recovery process is equal to or greater than the first threshold time.

[0013] (5) Preferably, the liquid dispensing device further comprises a storage unit that stores time information indicating the current time, and the execution condition may be that the time information stored in the storage unit does not indicate the current time.

[0014] (6) Preferably, the execution condition is that the elapsed time since image recording or detection of head ejection failure is performed is less than or equal to the second threshold time.

[0015] (7) Preferably, the execution condition is that the total number of executions of the first recovery process is less than or equal to the second threshold number.

[0016] (8) Preferably, the liquid dispensing device further comprises a waste liquid foam that absorbs the waste liquid discharged from the head, and the operating conditions may be that the amount of waste liquid absorbed by the waste liquid foam is less than or equal to a second threshold amount.

[0017] (9) Preferably, the liquid dispensing device further includes a storage unit that stores contract information indicating whether or not a delivery contract for a tank containing the liquid has been concluded, and the control unit may perform the second decision process under stricter execution conditions than when the contract information indicates that a delivery contract has been concluded.

[0018] (10) Preferably, the first recovery process may be the recovery process for the head that consumes the largest amount of liquid among the plurality of recovery processes for the head.

[0019] (11) The liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention comprises: a head having nozzles configured to eject liquid; an instruction input unit configured to receive an instruction input from a user; and a control unit. The control unit performs: a first determination process of determining whether the instruction input from the instruction input unit is an instruction to execute a first recovery process or an instruction to execute a second recovery process among the plurality of selectable recovery processes for the head; a second determination process of determining whether an execution condition for the first recovery process is satisfied in response to determining in the first determination process that the input instruction is an execution instruction for the first recovery process; and a recovery control process of executing the first recovery process in response to determining in the second determination process that the execution condition is satisfied, and not executing the first recovery process in response to determining in the second determination process that the execution condition is not satisfied.

[0020] According to the liquid ejection apparatus described above, even when a user instructs execution of the first recovery process among the plurality of selectable recovery processes for the head, the first recovery process is not executed if the execution condition for the first recovery process is not satisfied. Therefore, execution of the first recovery process can be restricted, and the amount of liquid consumed in the recovery process for the head can be reduced. Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, the amount of liquid consumed in the recovery process for the head can be reduced. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer 10. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the movement range of a carriage 31. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printer 10. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the maintenance unit 51. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of main processing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of purge processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a continuation diagram of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of purge P1 execution condition check processing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of purge P1 execution condition check processing for a printer according to a modification. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the progression from the starting point to the end point of an arrow is expressed as "orientation", and movement back and forth along the line connecting the starting point and end point of the arrow is expressed as "direction". In addition, an up-down direction 7 is defined based on a state where the printer 10 is installed so as to be usable (the state shown in FIG. 1), a front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface of the printer 10 formed with an opening 13 being the front surface, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the printer 10 is viewed from the front side. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[0024] [Summary of Printer 10] The printer 10 according to the present embodiment is an example of a liquid ejection device that ejects ink (an example of a liquid) onto a sheet by an inkjet printing method. The printer 10 is a color printer that ejects cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks onto a sheet.

[0025] The printer 10 has a roughly rectangular prism-shaped housing 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 11 contains a feed tray 14, a feed roller 21, a transport roller 22, a carriage 31, a head 32 mounted on the carriage 31 and having multiple nozzles 33, a platen 23 facing the head 32, an ejection roller 24, an ejection tray 15, a sub-tank 35, a mounting case 36 into which a cartridge 37 can be installed, and a tube 34 connecting the cartridge 37 installed in the mounting case 36 and the head 32. The multiple nozzles 33 are arranged in the front-to-back direction 8 on the underside of the head 32. Although Figure 2 shows one of each of the tube 34, sub-tank 35, and mounting case 36, the printer 10 has four of each of these elements.

[0026] The printer 10 drives the feed roller 21 and the transport roller 22 to transport the sheet supported on the feed tray 14 along the transport path (shown as a dashed line in Figure 2) to the position of the platen 23. Next, the printer 10 ejects ink supplied from the cartridge 37 mounted in the mounting case 36 via the sub-tank 35 and tube 34 from the nozzle 33 of the head 32. As a result, the ink lands on the sheet supported on the platen 23, and the image to be formed is printed on the sheet. The printer 10 drives the discharge roller 24 to discharge the sheet with the printed image into the discharge tray 15.

[0027] The carriage 31 is supported by two guide rails 41 and 42 that extend in the left-right direction 9, and moves back and forth in the left-right direction 9. While the carriage 31 moves in the left-right direction 9, the printer 10 ejects ink from the nozzles 33 of the head 32. This records an image on a portion of the sheet facing the head 32. Next, the printer 10 transports the sheet on the transport rollers 22 so that the next area to be recorded faces the head 32. By repeatedly performing these processes alternately, an image is recorded on the sheet.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the housing 11 has a cover 18 on its front surface 12 and at the rightmost end in the left-right direction 9. An opening (not shown) is formed at the location of the cover 18. The cover 18 is rotatable between a position that closes the opening (the position shown in Figure 1) and a position that opens the opening. Inside the housing space of the housing 11, which extends beyond the opening, are four mounting cases 36. Each of the four mounting cases 36 is fitted with a cartridge 37 containing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink, respectively.

[0029] The cartridge 37 has an ink chamber 38 (see Figure 2) capable of holding ink. When the cartridge 37 is installed in the mounting case 36, the ink contained in the ink chamber 38 flows into the sub-tank 35 via an ink channel 39 that connects the ink chamber 38 and the sub-tank 35. The sub-tank 35 temporarily stores the incoming ink. The ink contained in the sub-tank 35 is supplied to the head 32 via a tube 34.

[0030] [Carriage 31's movement range] As shown in Figure 3, the platen 23 has a long shape in the left-right direction 9 and is located below the carriage 31 in the up-down direction 7 (see Figure 2). The left end of the platen 23 is located near the left end of the guide rails 41 and 42 in the left-right direction 9. The right end of the platen 23 is located to the right of the center of the guide rails 41 and 42 in the left-right direction 9. The maintenance section 51 is located to the right of the platen 23 in the left-right direction 9.

[0031] The maintenance unit 51 includes two caps 52 and 53. While the printer 10 is printing, the carriage 31 moves left and right within the range of the platen 23. When the printer 10 is not printing, the carriage 31 is positioned so that the head 32 faces the caps 52 and 53 (hereinafter referred to as the standby position).

[0032] [Control Unit 60] Inside the enclosure 11 is the control unit 60 shown in Figure 4. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, EEPROM 64, and ASIC 65. ROM 62 stores programs and other information for the CPU 61 to execute various processes. RAM 63 is used as a temporary storage area for data and signals used by the CPU 61 when executing programs, or as a work area for data processing. EEPROM 64 stores information that should be retained even after the power is turned off. RAM 63 and EEPROM 64 are examples of storage units.

[0033] The control unit 60 controls the feed roller 21, transport roller 22, discharge roller 24, carriage 31, and head 32. The control unit 60 rotates the feed roller 21, transport roller 22, and discharge roller 24 by driving a motor (not shown) via the ASIC 65. The control unit 60 moves the carriage 31 in the left-right direction 9 by driving a motor (not shown) via the ASIC 65. The control unit 60 ejects ink from the nozzle 33 of the head 32 by outputting a drive signal to the drive element (not shown) of the head 32 via the ASIC 65. The ASIC 65 outputs a drive signal corresponding to the amount of ink to be ejected from the nozzle 33.

[0034] The control unit 60 receives the output signal from the encoder 43 via the ASIC 65. The encoder 43 is attached to a rotating member included in the carriage 31's movement mechanism (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the carriage 31. Based on the output signal from the encoder 43, the control unit 60 determines the position of the carriage 31.

[0035] The control unit 60 controls each part of the maintenance unit 51. The control unit 60 moves the caps 52 and 53 independently in the vertical direction 7 by driving a motor (not shown) via the ASIC 65. The control unit 60 switches the state of the flow path switching unit 55 by outputting a control signal via the ASIC 65. The control unit 60 operates the pump 56 by driving a motor (not shown) via the ASIC 65. The configuration of the maintenance unit 51 will be described later (see Figure 5).

[0036] The ASIC65 is connected to a display unit 16 and an operation unit 17. The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 16 displays, for example, the status of the printer 10 on the screen. The operation unit 17 is for inputting instructions from the user. The operation unit 17 outputs operation signals to the control unit 60 in response to user operations. The operation unit 17 may have, for example, push buttons or a touch sensor superimposed on the display unit 16.

[0037] RAM63 stores time information indicating the current time. The time information stored in RAM63 is reset to its initial value when the printer 10 is powered off. When the printer 10 is powered on, the user uses the control panel 17 to set the current time in the time information stored in RAM63. A state in which the time information does not indicate the current time is called a time-forgotten state.

[0038] The EEPROM 64 stores contract information. A delivery contract may be concluded between the user of the printer 10 and the manufacturer or distributor of the printer 10, stipulating that when the ink level in the cartridge 37 becomes low, the cartridge 37 will be automatically delivered to the user. The contract information stored in the EEPROM 64 indicates whether or not a delivery contract for the cartridge 37 has been concluded. The contract information stored in the EEPROM 64 is copied to the RAM 63 when the printer 10 is powered on.

[0039] [Maintenance Department 51] On the underside of the print head 32 are first to fourth nozzle rows (not shown) in which multiple nozzles 33 are arranged in the front-to-back direction 8. The first nozzle row consists of multiple nozzles 33 that eject cyan ink. The second nozzle row consists of multiple nozzles 33 that eject magenta ink. The third nozzle row consists of multiple nozzles 33 that eject yellow ink. The fourth nozzle row consists of multiple nozzles 33 that eject black ink.

[0040] Figure 5 shows the portion of the print head 32 corresponding to the fourth nozzle row and the configuration of the maintenance unit 51. Inside the print head 32, an ink channel 72 is formed that connects the ink inlet 71 and the nozzle 33. When the carriage 31 is in the standby position, the cap 52 faces the first to third nozzle rows, and the cap 53 faces the fourth nozzle row.

[0041] The cap 53 moves up and down between a position in contact with the lower surface of the head 32 (hereinafter referred to as the covering position) and a position spaced apart from the lower surface of the head 32 (hereinafter referred to as the spaced position), according to control from the control unit 60. When the carriage 31 is in the standby position, the cap 53 is in the covering position. At this time, the cap 53 contacts the periphery of the fourth nozzle row and covers the fourth nozzle row. When the carriage 31 is in a position other than the standby position, the cap 53 is in the spaced position. At this time, the cap 53 is in a position spaced downward from the periphery of the fourth nozzle row. The bottom surface of the cap 53 has an outlet 54.

[0042] Cap 52 has the same configuration as cap 53 and moves up and down independently of cap 53 between a covering position and a separated position according to control from the control unit 60. When carriage 31 is in the standby position, cap 52 is in the covering position and contacts the periphery of the first to third nozzle rows, covering them. When carriage 31 is in a position other than the standby position, cap 52 is in the separated position. The bottom surface of cap 52 has an outlet (not shown).

[0043] The internal space of cap 52 is connected to the first terminal (the left terminal in Figure 5) of the flow path switching unit 55 via the outlet of cap 52. The internal space of cap 53 is connected to the second terminal (the upper terminal in Figure 5) of the flow path switching unit 55 via the outlet 54. The third terminal (the lower terminal in Figure 5) of the flow path switching unit 55 is connected to one end of the pump 56. The flow path switching unit 55 connects one or both of the internal spaces of caps 52 and 53 to one end of the pump 56 according to control from the control unit 60. The other end of the pump 56 is connected to the waste liquid tank 57. A waste liquid foam 58 is located inside the waste liquid tank 57. The waste liquid foam 58 absorbs the ink discharged from the head 32 by purging as waste liquid. The waste liquid foam 58 is, for example, a sponge.

[0044] [purge] The control unit 60 executes purging by controlling each part of the maintenance unit 51. Purging is an example of the head 32 recovery process. Purging performed by the printer 10 is classified into user purging, which is performed based on instructions from the user, and automatic purging, which is performed automatically by the printer 10. User purging is performed when the user instructs the printer 10 to perform user purging using the operation unit 17, or when the printer 10 receives an instruction to perform user purging from an external terminal (e.g., a computer or mobile phone) that is connected to the printer 10 in a communicative manner, via a communication interface (not shown).

[0045] When the cap 52 is in the covered position, the flow path switching unit 55 connects the internal space of the cap 52 to one end of the pump 56, and the pump 56 is driven, thereby applying suction pressure from the nozzles 33 to the ink flow paths 72 of the first to third nozzle rows. As a result, the ink and gas in the ink flow paths 72 of the first to third nozzle rows are discharged from the nozzles 33 in the first to third nozzle rows. The discharged ink is collected in the waste liquid tank 57 as waste liquid and absorbed by the waste liquid foam 58. In this way, purging is performed on the nozzles 33 in the first to third nozzle rows. Hereinafter, this purging will be referred to as "CL purging".

[0046] When the cap 53 is in the covering position, the flow path switching unit 55 connects the internal space of the cap 53 to one end of the pump 56, and the pump 56 is driven, thereby applying suction pressure from the nozzle 33 to the ink flow path 72 of the fourth nozzle row. As a result, the ink and gas in the ink flow path 72 of the fourth nozzle row are discharged from the nozzle 33 in the fourth nozzle row. The discharged ink is collected in the waste liquid tank 57 as waste liquid and absorbed by the waste liquid foam 58. In this way, purging is performed on the nozzle 33 in the fourth nozzle row. Hereinafter, this purging will be referred to as "BK purging".

[0047] When both caps 52 and 53 are in the covering position, the flow path switching unit 55 connects the internal space of caps 52 and 53 to one end of pump 56, and then the pump 56 is driven, thereby performing CL purging and BK purging in parallel. Hereinafter, this purging will be referred to as "ALL purging" or "purging with all colors".

[0048] The control unit 60 controls the suction force of the pump 56 to a desired strength by controlling the level of the control signal for the pump 56. This allows the control unit 60 to selectively perform multiple purges of different strengths. These multiple purges include those that can be selected by the user and those that cannot.

[0049] The control unit 60 can selectively execute five types of purges P0 to P4, of which purges P1 to P3 are selectable by the user. Furthermore, a smaller number indicates a stronger purge and greater ink consumption. Purge P0 is the strongest of the Purges P0 to P4 and consumes the most ink. Purge P0 is executed only once during the initial setup of the printer 10. Purge P1 is the strongest of the user-defined purges P1 to P3 and consumes the most ink. Purge P1 is executed when the print head 32 ejection problem cannot be resolved by executing purges P2 and P3. Since a large amount of ink is consumed when purge P1 is executed, it is preferable to avoid executing purge P1 as much as possible.

[0050] [Main process] When power is turned on to the printer 10, the control unit 60 triggers the CPU 61 to execute a program stored in RAM 63, thereby executing the main process shown in Figure 6, the purge process shown in Figures 7 and 8, and the purge P1 execution condition check process shown in Figure 9. In the main process, the control unit 60 uses a pre-print purge flag. The pre-print purge flag is set to ON when purging is to be performed before printing, and to OFF when purging is not to be performed before printing. The pre-print purge flag is set to OFF before the execution of the main process.

[0051] At the beginning of the main process (Figure 6), the control unit 60 determines whether the device is in a time-forgotten state and an uncapped state (S11). In S11, the control unit 60 determines that the device is in a time-forgotten state if the time information stored in the RAM 63 does not indicate the current time. The control unit 60 also determines that the device is in an uncapped state if the position of the carriage 31, determined based on the output signal of the encoder 43, is not in the standby position.

[0052] If the control unit 60 determines that the device is in a time-forgotten state and uncapped state (S11: Yes), it proceeds to S12. In this case, the control unit 60 sets the pre-print purge flag to ON (S12) and proceeds to S13. If the control unit 60 determines in S11 that the device is not in a time-forgotten state and uncapped state (either not in a time-forgotten state or not in an uncapped state) (S11: No), it proceeds to S13 without executing S12. Next, the control unit 60 performs various initialization processes (S13). After that, the control unit 60 repeatedly executes S21 to S28.

[0053] In this example, the control unit 60 determines in S11 whether the device is in a time-forgotten state and in an uncapped state. Alternatively, the control unit 60 may determine in S11 whether the device is in a time-forgotten state or in an uncapped state.

[0054] In S21, the control unit 60 determines whether or not to perform a purge. In S21, the control unit 60 determines to perform a purge, for example, when the user instructs the user to perform a purge using the operation unit 17, or when it is time for an automatic purge to be performed. In response to the determination to perform a purge (S21: Yes), the control unit 60 proceeds to S22. In this case, the control unit 60 calls and performs the purge process with the specified type and color (S22). The purge type is one of P0 to P4, and the purge color is one of ALL, BK, or CL.

[0055] If the control unit 60 decides in S21 not to perform purging (S21: No), it proceeds to S23. In this case, the control unit 60 decides whether or not to perform image recording (S23). In S23, the control unit 60 decides to perform image recording, for example, when a user instructs the user to perform image recording using the operation unit 17, or when it receives an instruction to perform image recording from a terminal device that is communicably connected to the printer 10 via a communication interface (not shown).

[0056] In response to the control unit 60 determining in S23 to perform image recording (S23: Yes), the control unit 60 proceeds to S24. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the pre-print purge flag is ON or not (S24). In response to the control unit 60 determining that the pre-print purge flag is ON (S24: Yes), the control unit 60 proceeds to S25. In this case, the control unit 60 calls and performs a purge process with type P4 and color ALL (S25). In S25, for the first to fourth nozzle rows, purge P4, which has the weakest intensity and consumes the least ink among purges P0 to P4, is performed. Next, the control unit 60 sets the pre-print purge flag to OFF (S26) and performs image recording (S27).

[0057] In response to determining in S24 that the pre-print purge flag is not ON (is OFF) (S24: No), the control unit 60 proceeds to S27 without executing S25 and S26, and in S27, it performs image recording.

[0058] If the control unit 60 determines in S23 that it will not perform image recording (S23: No), it proceeds to S28. In this case, the control unit performs other processing (processing other than purging and image recording) (S28). After performing one of S22, S27, or S28, the control unit 60 proceeds to S21.

[0059] [Purge process] The control unit 60 uses the user purge execution time, BK purge count, CL purge count, and P1 count in the purge process executed in S22 or S25. The user purge execution time indicates the time when the user purge (any of purge P1 to P3) was last executed. The BK purge count indicates the sum of the number of BK purge executions and the number of ALL purge executions. The CL purge count indicates the sum of the number of CL purge executions and the number of ALL purge executions. The BK purge count and CL purge count are reset to 0 before the execution of the main process, and are reset to 0 if the user purge is not executed for 30 minutes (see S33 and S34 in Figure 7). The P1 count indicates the total number of purge P1 executions. The P1 count is reset to 0 when the printer 10 is initially installed.

[0060] At the beginning of the purge process (Figure 7), the control unit 60 determines whether the specified purge is a user purge (any of purges P1 to P3) (S31). If the control unit 60 determines that it is a user purge (S31: Yes), it proceeds to S32. In this case, the control unit 60 calculates the elapsed time T since the last user purge by calculating the difference between the current time and the user purge execution time (S32). Next, the control unit 60 determines whether the elapsed time T is 30 minutes or more (S33). If the control unit 60 determines that the elapsed time T is 30 minutes or more (S33: Yes), it proceeds to S34. In this case, the control unit 60 resets the BK purge count and the CL purge count to 0 (S34) and proceeds to S35.

[0061] If the control unit 60 determines in S31 that it is not a user purge (S31: No), it proceeds to S35 without executing S32 through S34. Also, if the control unit 60 determines in S33 that the elapsed time T is not 30 minutes or more (less than 30 minutes) (S33: No), it proceeds to S35 without executing S34. In this way, the BK purge count and CL purge count are reset to 0 if a user purge is not performed for 30 minutes.

[0062] In S35, the control unit 60 determines whether the specified purge type is P1. If the control unit 60 determines that the specified purge type is P1 (S35: Yes), it proceeds to S36. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the P1 count is 5 or greater (S36). If the control unit 60 determines that the P1 count is 5 or greater (S36: Yes), it proceeds to S37. In this case, the control unit 60 displays on the display unit 16 whether to execute purge P1 (S37). In S37, the control unit 60 displays a first message on the display unit 16, for example, "Do you want to execute purge P1?". In response, the user operates the operation unit 17 to input Yes or No.

[0063] Next, the control unit 60 determines whether Yes or No was entered from the operation unit 17 (S38). If the control unit 60 determines in S38 that No was entered (S38: No), it terminates the purge process without performing any further processing. In this way, the control unit 60 displays the first message if purge P1 has been executed five or more times, and does not execute purge P1 if No is entered in response to the first message.

[0064] In response to determining that "Yes" was entered in S38 (S38:Yes), the control unit 60 proceeds to S39. In this case, the control unit 60 executes the purge P1 execution condition check process shown in Figure 9 (S39).

[0065] At the beginning of the purge P1 execution condition check process (Figure 9), the control unit 60 determines whether the elapsed time since image recording or detection of head 32 ejection failure is 30 minutes or less (S81). If the control unit 60 determines that the elapsed time is not 30 minutes or less (it exceeds 30 minutes) (S81: No), it proceeds to S82. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the P1 count is 2 or less, the BK purge count is less than 3, and the CL purge count is less than 3 (S82). If the control unit 60 determines that the P1 count is not 2 or less, the BK purge count is less than 3, and the CL purge count is not less than 3 (P1 count is 3 or more, BK purge count is 3 or more, or CL purge count is 3 or more) (S82: No), it proceeds to S83.

[0066] In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the system is in a time-forgotten state (S83). In S83, the control unit 60 determines that the system is in a time-forgotten state if the time information stored in RAM 63 does not indicate the current time. The control unit 60 determines that the system is not in a time-forgotten state (S83: No) and proceeds to S84. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the BK purge count is 3 or more but less than 1000 (S84). The control unit 60 determines that the BK purge count is not 3 or more but less than 1000 (the BK purge count is less than 3 or 1000 or more) (S84: No) and proceeds to S85.

[0067] In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the CL purge count is 3 or more but less than 1000 (S85). If the control unit 60 determines that the CL purge count is not 3 or more but less than 1000 (the CL purge count is less than 3 or 1000 or more) (S85: No), it proceeds to S86. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the amount of waste liquid absorbed into the waste liquid foam 58 (Figure 5) in the waste liquid tank 57 is less than or equal to the threshold Tw (S86: No). If the control unit 60 determines that the amount of waste liquid is not less than or equal to the threshold Tw (it exceeds the threshold Tw) (S86: No), it proceeds to S87.

[0068] When the printer 10 performs image recording or purging, the control unit 60 determines the amount of ink consumed by the image recording or purging and the amount of waste liquid increased by the image recording or purging. Based on the determined increase in waste liquid and the amount of evaporation of the waste ink, the control unit 60 determines the amount of waste liquid absorbed into the waste liquid foam 58 in the waste liquid tank 57. The determined amount of waste liquid is stored in the RAM 63 and EEPROM 64. In S86, the amount of waste liquid stored in the RAM 63 is referenced.

[0069] In S81, the control unit 60 determines that the elapsed time is 30 minutes or less (S81: Yes) and proceeds to S88. In S82, the control unit 60 determines that the P1 count is 2 or less, the BK purge count is less than 3, and the CL purge count is less than 3 (S82: Yes) and proceeds to S88. In S83, the control unit 60 determines that the time has been forgotten (S83: Yes) and proceeds to S88. In S84, the control unit 60 determines that the BK purge count is 3 or more and less than 1000 (S84: Yes) and proceeds to S88. In S85, the control unit 60 determines that the CL purge count is 3 or more and less than 1000 (S85: Yes) and proceeds to S88. In S86, the control unit 60 determines that the amount of waste liquid absorbed by the waste liquid foam 58 is less than or equal to the threshold Tw (S86: Yes) and proceeds to S88.

[0070] In this way, the control unit 60 proceeds to S88 depending on whether it determined Yes in any of S81 to S86. In this case, the control unit 60 sets the check result to "satisfied" (S88). The control unit 60 proceeds to S87 depending on whether it determined No in any of S81 to S86. In this case, the control unit 60 sets the check result to "not satisfied" (S87). After executing either S87 or S88, the control unit 60 terminates the purge P1 execution condition check process.

[0071] Returning to Figure 7, after executing S39, the control unit 60 determines whether the conditions for executing purge P1 are met (S40). If the control unit 60 determines that the conditions for executing purge P1 are met (S40: Yes), it proceeds to S41. In this case, the control unit 60 executes purge P1 for all colors (S41). In S41, for the first to fourth nozzle rows, purge P1, which has the strongest intensity and the highest ink consumption among user purges P1 to P3, is executed. In this way, the control unit 60 executes purge P1 when it determines that the conditions for executing purge P1 are met.

[0072] Next, the control unit 60 sets the BK purge count and CL purge count to 1000 (S42). A BK purge count or CL purge count of 1000 or more indicates that purge P1 is included in user purges performed at intervals of less than 30 minutes, i.e., that purge P1 was performed recently. Next, the control unit 60 adds 1 to the P1 count (S43). Next, the control unit 60 obtains the current time and sets the obtained current time to the user purge execution time stored in RAM 63 (S44). Next, the control unit 60 sets the pre-print purge flag to OFF (S45) and terminates the purge process.

[0073] If the control unit 60 determines in S40 that the conditions for executing purge P1 are not met (S40: No), it proceeds to S51. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the BK purge count is 2 or less and the CL purge count is 2 or less (S51). If the control unit 60 determines that the BK purge count is 2 or less and the CL purge count is 2 or less (S51: Yes), it proceeds to S52. In this case, the control unit 60 displays on the display unit 16 whether it is OK to execute purge P2 (S52). In S52, the control unit 60 displays a second message on the display unit 16, for example, "It is still too early to execute purge P1, so is it OK to execute purge P2, which is weaker than purge P1?" In response, the user operates the operation unit 17 to input Yes or No.

[0074] Next, the control unit 60 determines whether Yes or No was entered from the operation unit 17 (S53). In S53, the control unit 60 determines that Yes was entered (S53:Yes) and proceeds to S54. In this case, the control unit 60 executes purge P2 with all colors (S54) and proceeds to S58. In S54, purge P2 is executed, which has the second strongest intensity and the second highest ink consumption among user purges P1 to P3. If the conditions for executing purge P1 are not met and user purges have been executed only a few times, the control unit 60 displays a second message to obtain user confirmation and then executes purge P2 instead of purge P1.

[0075] In S51, the control unit 60 determines that the BK purge count is 2 or less and the CL purge count is not 2 or less (BK purge count is 3 or more, or CL purge count is 3 or more) (S51: No), and proceeds to S55. In this case, the control unit 60 displays on the display unit 16 whether it is OK to execute purge P3 (S55). In S55, the control unit 60 displays a third message on the display unit 16, for example, "Purge P1 has just been executed, so is it OK to execute purge P3, which is weaker than purge P1?". In response, the user operates the operation unit 17 to input Yes or No.

[0076] Next, the control unit 60 determines whether Yes or No was entered from the operation unit 17 (S56). In S56, the control unit 60 determines that Yes was entered (S56:Yes) and proceeds to S57. In this case, the control unit 60 executes purge P3 with color ALL (S57) and proceeds to S58. If the conditions for executing purge P1 are not met and a certain number of user purges have already been performed, the control unit 60 displays a third message to obtain user confirmation and then executes purge P3 instead of purge P1.

[0077] After executing S54 or S57, the control unit 60 reaches S58. Next, the control unit 60 adds 1 to the BK purge count and the CL purge count, respectively (S58). Then, the control unit 60 proceeds to S44, sets the current time as the user purge execution time (S44), sets the pre-print purge flag to OFF (S45), and terminates the purge process.

[0078] If the control unit 60 determines that No has been entered in S53 (S53: No), it proceeds to S41. If the control unit 60 determines that No has been entered in S56 (S56: No), it proceeds to S41. In these cases, the control unit 60 executes Purge P1 with color ALL (S41), just as if it had determined in S40 that the execution conditions for Purge P1 were met, and then executes S42 to S45. In this way, even if the execution conditions for Purge P1 are not met, if user confirmation is not obtained, the control unit 60 executes Purge P1.

[0079] If the control unit 60 determines that the type of purge specified in S35 is not P1 (S35: No), it proceeds to S61 shown in Figure 8. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the specified purge is a user purge other than purge P1 (purge P2 or P3) (S61). If the control unit 60 determines that it is a user purge other than purge P1 (S61: Yes), it proceeds to S62.

[0080] In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the specified purge is an ALL purge (S62). If the control unit 60 determines that it is an ALL purge (S62: Yes), it proceeds to S64. In this case, the control unit 60 adds 1 to the BK purge count and the CL purge count (S64), and proceeds to S67.

[0081] If the control unit 60 determines in S62 that it is not an ALL purge (S62: No), it proceeds to S63. In this case, the control unit 60 determines whether the specified purge is a BK purge or not (S63). If the control unit 60 determines that it is a BK purge (S63: Yes), it proceeds to S65. In this case, the control unit 60 adds 1 to the BK purge count (S65) and proceeds to S67.

[0082] In S63, the control unit 60 determines that it is not a BK purge (it is a CL purge) (S63: No), and proceeds to S66. In this case, the control unit 60 adds 1 to the CL purge count (S66) and proceeds to S67. In this way, in S62 to S66, the control unit 60 adds 1 to either the BK purge count or the CL purge count, or both, depending on the color of the purge to be performed.

[0083] After executing one of the steps S64 to S66, the control unit 60 reaches S67. Next, the control unit 60 determines whether the BK purge count is 1000 or more, or whether the CL purge count is 1000 or more (S67). If the control unit 60 determines that the BK purge count is not 1000 or more, or the CL purge count is not 1000 or more (BK purge count is less than 1000, and CL purge count is less than 1000) (S67: No), it proceeds to S68. In this case, the control unit 60 performs a user purge with the specified type and color (S68), and then proceeds to S44 shown in Figure 7.

[0084] In S67, the control unit 60 determines that the BK purge count is 1000 or more, or the CL purge count is 1000 or more (S67: Yes), and proceeds to S69. In this case, the control unit 60 performs purge P3 with the specified color (S69) and proceeds to S44 shown in Figure 7.

[0085] As described above, a BK purge count or CL purge count of 1000 or more indicates that purge P1 has been performed recently. When the control unit 60 performs a user purge other than purge P1, if purge P1 has not been performed recently, it performs the specified type of user purge (S68), and if purge P1 has been performed recently, it performs purge P3 (S69).

[0086] In response to determining in S61 that it is not a user purge other than purge P1 (S61: No), the control unit 60 proceeds to S71. In this case, the control unit 60 performs an automatic purge with the specified type and color (S71) and proceeds to S45 shown in Figure 7. When the specified purge is an automatic purge, the control unit 60 performs an automatic purge with the specified type and color.

[0087] In the above explanation, purge P0 to P4 are examples of head 32 recovery processes. Purge P1 to P3 are examples of head 32 recovery processes that the user can select. When the amount of ink consumed by purge P2 is set as the first threshold amount, purge P1 is an example of a first recovery process among purge P1 to P3 in which the amount of ink consumed is greater than the first threshold amount. Purge P1 is also an example of a first recovery process among purge P1 to P3 in which the amount of ink consumed is the greatest. Purge P2 and P3 are examples of second and third recovery processes in which the amount of ink consumed is less than that of the first recovery process, and are also examples of second recovery processes other than the first recovery process.

[0088] S35 is an example of a first decision process that determines whether the instruction input from the operation unit 17 is an instruction to execute the first recovery process. S39 and S40 are examples of a second decision process that determines whether the execution conditions for the first recovery process are met, based on the determination in the first decision process that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process. S41, S54 and S57 are examples of recovery control processes that execute the first recovery process based on the determination in the second decision process that the execution conditions are met, and do not execute the first recovery process based on the determination in the second decision process that the execution conditions are not met.

[0089] The 30 minutes in S33 is an example of the first hour and the first threshold time. The 30 minutes in S81 is an example of the second threshold time. The 2 times in S82 is an example of the second threshold number. The 3 times in S84 and S85 are examples of the first threshold number. The threshold Tw in S86 is an example of the second threshold amount.

[0090] In the above explanation, the control unit 60 determines in S82 that the P1 count is 2 or less, the BK purge count is less than 3, and the CL purge count is less than 3, and sets the check result to "satisfied." Alternatively, the control unit 60 may set the check result to "satisfied" in S82, regardless of the BK purge count and CL purge count, if it determines that the P1 count is 2 or less.

[0091] [Effects and Effects] As described above, the printer 10 according to this embodiment includes a head 32, an operation unit 17, and a control unit 60. The control unit 60 performs a first determination process (S35) to determine whether the instruction input from the operation unit 17 is an instruction to execute purge P1, one of the purge P1 to P3 recovery processes for the head 32 that can be selected by the user, in which the amount of ink consumed is greater than a first threshold amount (the amount of ink consumed by purge P2). It also performs a second determination process (S39, S40) to determine whether the execution conditions for purge P1 are met, in response to the determination in the first determination process that it is an instruction to execute purge P1. It then performs a recovery control process (S41, S54, S57) to execute purge P1 in response to the determination in the second determination process that the execution conditions are met (S41), and to refrain from executing purge P1 in response to the determination in the second determination process that the execution conditions are not met (S54, S57).

[0092] Therefore, in the printer 10 according to this embodiment, even if the user instructs the execution of purge P1 when the ink consumption exceeds a first threshold amount, purge P1 will not be executed unless the conditions for executing purge P1 are met. Thus, the execution of purge P1 can be limited, and the amount of ink consumed in the recovery process of the head 32 can be reduced.

[0093] Furthermore, in the recovery control process, the control unit 60 executes a second recovery process (purge P2 or P3) that consumes less ink than purge P1, depending on whether the execution conditions for purge P1 are not met in the second decision process (S54, S57). Therefore, when the user instructs the execution of purge P1, if the execution conditions for purge P1 are not met, the amount of ink consumed in the head 32 recovery process can be reduced while executing the head 32 recovery process according to the user's instructions.

[0094] Furthermore, the execution conditions for purge P1 are that a third recovery process (purge P2 or P3) that consumes less ink than purge P1 has been executed at intervals of less than the first threshold (30 minutes) for a predetermined number of times (3 times) or more, and the elapsed time since the last execution of the third recovery process is less than 1 hour (S84, S85). Therefore, when the user instructs the execution of purge P1, purge P1 is executed on the condition that a third recovery process that consumes less ink has been executed a predetermined number of times or more prior to it. Thus, an opportunity is secured to resolve the ejection failure of the head 32 with the third recovery process before executing purge P1, and the amount of ink consumed in the head 32 recovery process can be reduced.

[0095] Furthermore, the execution condition for purge P1 is that the elapsed time T after execution of purge P1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold time (30 minutes) (S33, S82). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wasteful consumption of ink by continuously executing purge P1 and to reduce the amount of ink consumed in the recovery process of the head 32.

[0096] Furthermore, the printer 10 is equipped with RAM 63 that stores time information indicating the current time, and the condition for executing purge P1 is that the time information stored in RAM 63 does not indicate the current time (S83). Therefore, if the current time is unknown when the user instructs the execution of purge P1, purge P1 will be executed.

[0097] Furthermore, the execution condition for purge P1 is that the elapsed time since image recording or head 32 ejection failure detection has been performed is less than or equal to the second threshold time (30 minutes) (S81). Therefore, when the user instructs the execution of purge P1, purge P1 is executed on the condition that image recording or head 32 ejection failure detection has been performed beforehand. Consequently, unnecessary purge P1 is not performed when image recording and head 32 ejection detection have not been performed, and the amount of ink consumed in the head 32 recovery process can be reduced.

[0098] Furthermore, the execution condition for purge P1 is that the total number of executions of purge P1 (P1 count) is less than or equal to the second threshold number (2 times) (S82). Therefore, by limiting the total number of executions of purge P1, the amount of ink consumed in the recovery process of the head 32 can be reduced.

[0099] Furthermore, the printer 10 is equipped with a waste liquid foam 58 that absorbs waste liquid discharged from the print head 32, and the condition for executing purge P1 is that the amount of waste liquid absorbed by the waste liquid foam 58 is less than or equal to a second threshold amount (threshold Tw) (S86). Therefore, when the user instructs the execution of purge P1, purge P1 is executed on the condition that the amount of waste liquid absorbed by the waste liquid foam 58 is small. Consequently, purge P1 is not executed when there is a large amount of waste liquid absorbed by the waste liquid foam 58, thereby reducing the amount of ink consumed in the recovery process of the print head 32.

[0100] Furthermore, the control unit 60 performs the following recovery control processes: a first determination process (S35) to determine whether the instruction input from the operation unit 17 is an instruction to execute purge P1 or a purge other than purge P1, among the multiple recovery processes for the head 32 that the user can select, purge P1 to P3; a second determination process (S39, S40) to determine whether the execution conditions for purge P1 are met, in accordance with the determination in the first determination process that it is an instruction to execute purge P1; and a recovery control process (S41, S54, S57) to execute purge P1 in accordance with the determination in the second determination process that the execution conditions are met (S41), or to refrain from executing purge P1 in accordance with the determination in the second determination process that the execution conditions are not met (S54, S57).

[0101] Therefore, in the printer 10 according to this embodiment, even if the user instructs the execution of purge P1, one of the multiple head 32 recovery processes Purge P1 to P3 that the user can select, purge P1 will not be executed if the conditions for executing purge P1 are not met. Thus, the execution of purge P1 can be limited, and the amount of ink consumed in the head 32 recovery process can be reduced.

[0102] [Differentiation] Various modifications can be made to the printer 10 according to the above embodiment. The control unit 60 of the printer 10 determines that the execution conditions for purge P1 are met in the purge P1 execution condition check process (Figure 9) depending on whether it determines Yes in any of S81 to S86. The control unit of the modified printer may determine that the execution conditions for purge P1 are met according to other criteria. For example, the control unit may determine that the execution conditions for purge P1 are met when any of the conditions in S81 to S86 are met. The control unit may determine that the execution conditions for purge P1 are met depending on whether it determines Yes in S83, or whether it determines that it is met depending on whether it determines Yes in S81 or S82, or whether it determines that it is met depending on whether it determines Yes in any of S82, S83, and S86.

[0103] Furthermore, the control unit of the modified printer may determine that the conditions for executing purge P1 are met when conditions other than those in S81 to S86 are met. For example, the control unit may determine that the conditions for executing purge P1 are met if, within the first hour preceding the present time, a third recovery process that consumes less ink than purge P1 has been executed at least once by a first threshold number of times. In other words, the conditions for executing purge P1 may be that within the first hour preceding the present time, a third recovery process that consumes less ink than purge P1 has been executed at least once by a first threshold number of times.

[0104] Furthermore, when the printer 10's control unit 60 is to execute a user purge other than purge P1 (S61: Yes), it determines whether purge P1 has been executed recently (S67), and switches between executing a specified type of user purge (S68) or executing purge P3 (S69) depending on the determination result. Alternatively, the control unit of the modified printer may, when executing a user purge other than purge P1, execute a specified type of user purge unconditionally without determining whether purge P1 has been executed recently.

[0105] Furthermore, if the control unit 60 of the printer 10 determines that the conditions for executing purge P1 are not met (S40: No), it displays whether it is acceptable to execute a weaker purge than purge P1 (S52, S55), and if the user inputs Yes, it executes purge P2 or P3 (S54, S57). Alternatively, the control unit of the modified printer may execute purge P2 in S54 without executing S52 and S53, and execute purge P3 in S57 without executing S55 and S56.

[0106] Furthermore, the control unit of the modified printer may switch the execution conditions for purge P1 according to the contract information stored in the memory unit (RAM 63, EEPROM 64). For example, if the contract information indicates that a delivery contract for a cartridge (an example of a tank) has been concluded, the control unit may decide whether or not to execute purge P1 under stricter execution conditions than when the contract information indicates that a delivery contract has not been concluded.

[0107] The control unit of the modified printer executes, for example, the purge P1 execution condition check process shown in Figure 10, instead of the purge P1 execution condition check process shown in Figure 9. At the beginning of the purge P1 execution condition check process, the control unit determines whether the contract information stored in RAM 63 or EEPROM 64 indicates that a delivery contract has been concluded (S110). If the control unit determines that a delivery contract has been concluded (S110: Yes), it proceeds to S111. In this case, the control unit makes conditional judgments in S111 to S116 and executes S117 or S118 depending on the result of the judgment. If the control unit determines that a delivery contract has not been concluded (S110: No), it proceeds to S121. In this case, the control unit makes conditional judgments in S121 to S126 and executes S117 or S118.

[0108] S111 and S121 are conditional decisions similar to S81 shown in Figure 9. S112 and S122 are conditional decisions similar to S82 shown in Figure 9. S113 and S123 are the same conditional decisions as S83 shown in Figure 9. S114 and S124 are conditional decisions similar to S84 shown in Figure 9. S115 and S125 are conditional decisions similar to S85 shown in Figure 9. S116 and S126 are conditional decisions similar to S86 shown in Figure 9. S117 is the same as S87 shown in Figure 9. S118 is the same as S88 shown in Figure 9.

[0109] In S111, the control unit determines whether the elapsed time since image recording or head ejection failure detection is less than or equal to time Tt1, and in S121, it determines whether the said elapsed time is less than or equal to time Tt2. However, time Tt1 is less than time Tt2. In S112, the control unit determines whether the P1 count is less than or equal to the number of times Ta1, the BK purge count is less than the number of times Tb1, and the CL purge count is less than the number of times Tb1, and in S122, it determines whether the P1 count is less than or equal to the number of times Ta2, the BK purge count is less than the number of times Tb2, and the CL purge count is less than the number of times Tb2. However, the number of times Ta1 is less than the number of times Ta2, and the number of times Tb1 is less than the number of times Tb2.

[0110] In S114, the control unit determines whether the BK purge count is between Tb1 and 1000, and in S124, it determines whether the BK purge count is between Tb2 and 1000. In S115, the control unit determines whether the CL purge count is between Tb1 and 1000, and in S125, it determines whether the CL purge count is between Tb2 and 1000. In S116, the control unit determines whether the amount of waste liquid absorbed by the waste liquid foam is less than or equal to amount Tw1, and in S126, it determines whether the amount of waste liquid is less than or equal to amount Tw2. However, amount Tw1 is less than amount Tw2.

[0111] When the values ​​for each step are determined in this way, the conditions for purging P1 shown in S111 to S116 become stricter than the execution conditions for purging P1 shown in S121 to S126. In other words, the execution conditions for purging P1 when a delivery contract has been concluded are stricter than the execution conditions for purging P1 when a delivery contract has not been concluded.

[0112] Furthermore, it may be stipulated that time Tt1, number of occurrences Ta1, number of occurrences Tb1, and quantity Tw1 are less than or equal to time Tt2, number of occurrences Ta2, number of occurrences Tb2, and quantity Tw2, respectively, and that at least one of the following conditions is met: time Tt1 is less than time Tt2, number of occurrences Ta1 is less than number of occurrences Ta2, number of occurrences Tb1 is less than number of occurrences Tb2, and quantity Tw1 is less than quantity Tw2. In this case as well, the execution conditions for purge P1 when a delivery contract has been concluded are stricter than the execution conditions for purge P1 when a delivery contract has not been concluded.

[0113] The control unit determines whether to execute purge P1 under stricter execution conditions than when the contract information indicates that a delivery contract has been concluded, if the contract information indicates that a delivery contract has been concluded. By making the execution conditions for purge P1 stricter when a delivery contract has been concluded, the execution of purge P1 can be restricted, the amount of ink consumed during purging can be reduced, and printer manufacturers and distributors can be prevented from shipping more cartridges than necessary.

[0114] Furthermore, the printer 10 includes a sub-tank 35 and a mounting case 36 into which a cartridge 37 can be installed (cartridge model). A modified printer may also include a tank having an ink inlet (tank model). In a tank model printer, new ink is supplied to the printer by the user pouring ink contained in an ink bottle into the tank's inlet.

[0115] Furthermore, the printer 10 is configured to perform purges P0 to P4 as maintenance processing for the head 32. The purges performed by the printer 10 may include a suction purge that sucks out the nozzles 33 in the nozzle row and an exhaust purge that sucks out the exhaust ports corresponding to the nozzle row. The printer 10 may also perform purges other than purges P0 to P4. In addition, the modified printer may perform flushing in addition to purging as maintenance processing for the head. The modified printer may also be equipped with an ink level sensor for determining the amount of ink remaining in the sub-tank or cartridge, and an installation sensor for detecting whether or not a cartridge is installed in the installation case. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0116] 10. Printer (liquid ejection device) 17. Control Unit (Instruction Input Unit) 31...carriage 32 heads 33... Nozzle 37.. Cartridge (tank) 58. Waste liquid foam 60... Control Unit 63...RAM (memory section) 64...EEPROM (storage unit)

Claims

1. A head having a nozzle for dispensing liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute a first recovery process among several recovery processes for the head that can be selected by the user, in which the amount of liquid consumed is greater than a first threshold amount. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. The above execution conditions are that a third recovery process, which consumes less liquid than the first recovery process, has been performed at intervals of less than one hour and at least one threshold number of times, and the elapsed time since the last execution of the third recovery process is less than one hour.

2. A head having a nozzle for discharging liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute a first recovery process among several recovery processes for the head that can be selected by the user, in which the amount of liquid consumed is greater than a first threshold amount. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. The above execution condition is a liquid dispensing device in which the elapsed time since image recording or detection of a dispensing failure of the head was performed is less than or equal to the second threshold time.

3. A head having a nozzle for discharging liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute a first recovery process among several recovery processes for the head that can be selected by the user, in which the amount of liquid consumed is greater than a first threshold amount. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. The above execution condition is a liquid dispensing device in which the total number of executions of the above first recovery process is less than or equal to the second threshold number of executions.

4. A head having a nozzle for dispensing liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute a first recovery process among several recovery processes for the head that can be selected by the user, in which the amount of liquid consumed is greater than a first threshold amount. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. It further includes a memory unit that stores contract information indicating whether or not a delivery contract for a tank containing liquid has been concluded, The control unit, when the contract information indicates that the delivery contract has been concluded, executes the second decision process under stricter execution conditions than when the contract information indicates that the delivery contract has not been concluded.

5. A head having a nozzle for dispensing liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute the first recovery process or the second recovery process among the multiple recovery processes of the head that can be selected by the user. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. The above execution conditions are that a third recovery process, which consumes less liquid than the first recovery process, has been performed at intervals of less than one hour and at least one threshold number of times, and the elapsed time since the last execution of the third recovery process is less than one hour.

6. A head having a nozzle for discharging liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute the first recovery process or the second recovery process among the multiple recovery processes of the head that can be selected by the user. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. The above execution condition is a liquid dispensing device in which the elapsed time since image recording or detection of a dispensing failure of the head was performed is less than or equal to the second threshold time.

7. A head having a nozzle for discharging liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute the first recovery process or the second recovery process among the multiple recovery processes of the head that can be selected by the user. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. The above execution condition is a liquid dispensing device in which the total number of executions of the above first recovery process is less than or equal to the second threshold number of executions.

8. A head having a nozzle for discharging liquid, An instruction input section for receiving instructions from the user, It comprises a control unit and, The above control unit, A first determination process determines whether the instruction input from the above instruction input unit is an instruction to execute the first recovery process or the second recovery process among the multiple recovery processes of the head that can be selected by the user. In response to the determination in the first decision process described above that it is an instruction to execute the first recovery process described above, a second decision process is performed to determine whether or not the conditions for executing the first recovery process described above are met, If the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are met, the first recovery process is executed; if the second decision process determines that the above execution conditions are not met, a recovery control process is executed in which the first recovery process is not executed. It further includes a memory unit that stores contract information indicating whether or not a delivery contract for a tank containing liquid has been concluded, The control unit, when the contract information indicates that the delivery contract has been concluded, executes the second decision process under stricter execution conditions than when the contract information indicates that the delivery contract has not been concluded.

9. The liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit, in the recovery control process, determines in the second determination process that the execution conditions are not met, executes a second recovery process that consumes less liquid than the first recovery process.

10. The liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first recovery process described above consumes the most liquid among a plurality of recovery processes of the head.

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