JP2005169810A - Recording apparatus and recording control method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a technique for preventing deterioration in print quality due to variation in performance of each recording head and ink.
A recording head 21 that performs recording by discharging ink, an image reading scanner 203 that reads an original image, and a barcode label 41 that is provided outside the recording head 21 and has information about the recording head and ink. The recording head 21 is arranged or moved within the reading range of the image reading scanner 203 so that the information included in the barcode label 41 can be read by the image reading scanner 203.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus including, for example, an image forming printer that records an image on a recording medium using a recording head that can eject ink from an ejection port, and an image reading scanner that scans and reads a document image. It is about.

  Recording devices with functions such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, etc., or recording devices used as output devices for multifunction devices and workstations including computers, word processors, etc., paper and plastic thin plates (OHP, etc.) etc. based on image information An image (including characters and symbols) is recorded on the recording medium. The recording apparatus can be classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, a laser beam type, etc., depending on the recording method of the recording means used.

  In a serial type recording apparatus that employs a recording method in which main scanning is performed in a direction crossing the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, the recording medium is set at a predetermined recording position, and then along the recording medium. An image is recorded (main scanning) by recording means (recording head) mounted on the moving carriage, and after a line of recording is completed, a predetermined amount of paper is fed (sub scanning), and then the next line is recorded. By repeating the operation of recording an image (main scanning), image recording of the entire recording medium is performed.

  Among them, an ink jet type (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by ejecting ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording medium. The recording means can be easily made compact, and high-definition images can be printed at high speed. Can be recorded without requiring special processing on plain paper, and the running cost is low, the non-impact method is low in noise, and multicolor ink is used for color printing. It has advantages such as easy recording of images.

  In particular, an ink jet recording means (recording head) that discharges ink using thermal energy is subjected to a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, sputtering, and the like, an electrothermal transducer, an electrode, By forming the liquid channel wall, the top plate, etc., it is possible to easily manufacture a device having a high density liquid channel arrangement (discharge port arrangement), and to achieve further compactness. In addition, by utilizing the advantages of IC technology and micromachining technology, it is easy to make the recording means longer and planar (two-dimensional), and it is also easy to make the recording means full-multiple and high-density mounting. is there. In recent years, multifunction printers (MFPs) combining the above-described ink jet recording apparatus and image reading scanner have become widespread and are used as facsimiles and copiers.

  By the way, in the ink jet recording apparatus, the recording head and the ink tank can be exchanged in case the image quality is lowered due to an abnormality in the head or the ink remaining in the ink tank is reduced.

  When the recording head can be replaced in this way, a recording head having a different head performance (which is used to include the characteristics of the head) is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus main body depending on the user. The desired performance cannot be maintained, and the image quality may be degraded. Therefore, in order to guarantee the desired performance of the ink jet recording apparatus itself, the head performance variation of the recording head is narrowed down and only the recording head with uniform performance is shipped, or even if the recording head variation occurs It is necessary to be able to follow.

  Therefore, as a conventional ink jet recording apparatus, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-197247, a voltage setting unit that electrically sets a driving voltage of the recording head as a bit signal in an interface unit of the recording head It is known that the drive voltage set in the voltage setting unit is read as a bit signal by being electrically connected to the interface unit, and the head drive voltage is controlled based on the bit signal. Yes.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-314828 prepares a sensor for reading information on the head performance held in the outline of the recording head unit, and sets the driving condition of the actuator element based on the read information. What is made is described.
JP-A 61-197247 JP-A-9-314828

  However, in the above-described conventional inkjet recording apparatus, an interface unit (for example, an EEPROM or the like) including a voltage setting unit that electrically sets a driving voltage as a bit signal must be provided in the recording head unit. The cost increases and the work for setting the bit signal is complicated. Also in the latter ink jet recording apparatus, a dedicated sensor for reading head performance information must be prepared, which increases the cost, and it is necessary to prepare an information transmission unit and a control unit for the sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for preventing a decrease in print quality due to variations in performance of each recording head and ink with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a recording apparatus of the present invention is provided in a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink, an image reading unit that reads an original image, and the recording head. An information holding unit having information about the head and ink, and the image reading unit reads information held by the information holding unit from outside the recording head.

  In the above apparatus, the recording head includes a removable ink tank that stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head, and the information holding unit is provided in the ink tank and has information about the ink. .

  Further, in the above apparatus, the recording head is arranged or moved within a reading range of the image reading unit so that the image reading unit can read information held by the information holding unit.

  The apparatus further includes control means for controlling a recording operation by the recording head based on information read by the image reading means.

  In the above apparatus, an optical system is disposed between the information holding unit and the image reading unit in order to increase the resolution when the information is read by the image reading unit.

  In the above apparatus, the information holding means is a bar code label on which information about the recording head and ink is recorded.

  In the above apparatus, the information holding unit is an ink color display unit that detects an ink color from a part of the shape portion of the recording head.

  In the above apparatus, the information holding unit is an ink remaining amount display unit capable of detecting the remaining amount of the ink in the recording head by making at least a part of the recording head transparent.

  The recording control method of the present invention is a recording control method in a recording apparatus including a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink and an image reading unit that reads an original image. A step of reading information on the head and ink, and a step of controlling a recording operation by the recording head based on the information read by the image reading means.

  In the above method, the image reading unit reads information about the recording head and ink from an information holding unit provided in the recording head.

  Further, in the above method, information holding means provided in an ink tank which is provided detachably with respect to the recording head by the image reading means and which stores the ink for supplying to the recording head. Read from.

  In the above method, the image reading unit reads information about the recording head and ink from a predetermined print pattern formed on a recording medium by the recording head.

  The present invention can also be applied to a program for causing a computer of a recording apparatus to execute any one of the above methods or a computer-readable recording medium storing the program.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to read head information and ink information from an information holding unit attached to a recording head and an ink tank using an image reading unit such as an image reading scanner. Thus, information relating to the performance of the recording head and ink can be given to the recording apparatus main body with a simple configuration and low cost.

  In addition, since the image reading unit can read a predetermined print pattern formed on the recording medium by the recording head, information about the recording head and ink can be acquired from the print pattern.

  Furthermore, by arranging an optical system between the image reading unit and the information holding unit or the recording medium on which the print pattern is formed, the resolution when reading information from the information holding unit can be improved.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the embodiment described below, an example in which the recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus will be described. However, this is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and the present invention departs from the spirit thereof. The present invention can be applied to modifications or variations of the following embodiments within a range not to be performed. In addition, the present invention supplies a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the apparatus according to an embodiment described later is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part for explaining a configuration example of a printer / image scanner integrated ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present invention. A serial scan type ink jet recording apparatus is applied to the printer unit.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a recording head. In the present embodiment, the recording head 21 includes four color ink tanks 22K, 22C, K (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). 22M and 22Y are installed. The recording head 21 is connected to a part of the driving belt 24 that transmits the driving force of the driving motor 23 to enable reciprocal movement. Printing is performed by ejecting ink droplets onto the recording medium 25 while reciprocating the recording head 21 while keeping a slight gap with respect to the recording medium 25 such as recording paper.

  In FIG. 2, the recording medium 25 is transported by the paper feed transport mechanism 26 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the recording head 21. Then, every time recording for one line is performed, the recording medium 25 is conveyed by a predetermined amount pitch to record the next one line, and thereafter, such a recording operation is repeated to form an image over the entire area of the recording medium 25. To form.

  At a predetermined position (for example, home position) within the reciprocal range of the recording head 21 and out of the recording area, ink is forcibly discharged from each ejection port of the recording head 21, thereby increasing the inside of each ejection port. A suction recovery cap 27 is provided for removing foreign matters such as viscous ink, fixed ink, dust, bubbles, etc., and recovering the ejection function of the recording head 21 normally. The suction recovery cap 27 caps the recording head 21 in order to prevent ink evaporation during non-printing. Further, by discharging ink to the suction recovery cap 27, preliminary discharge for performing recovery processing can be performed.

  Next, the configuration of the image scanner will be described.

  The upper surface of the printer unit shown in FIG. 2 is configured as a document table 201 on which a document is placed. A scanner unit 203 is disposed on a document table cover 202 that presses down a document placed on the document table 201. In order to read an image from the upper surface side of the document, the document table cover 202 has a transparent platen plate 204 such as glass. Is installed. The scanner unit 203 includes an illumination lamp that irradiates the upper surface side of the document, a mirror that receives reflected light from the document, and an image sensor that receives reflected light from the mirror via a condenser lens.

  The scanner unit 203 operates so as to sequentially read images from the entire surface of the document placed on the document table 201 while being moved by a driving belt 205 driven by a motor. Thus, the image read by the scanner unit 203 is photoelectrically converted to output an image signal.

  Next, the recording head 21 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the recording head 21 as viewed from below. The drive information is sent from the host (for example, PC) to the ink jet recording apparatus, and a signal output from the drive control means of the recording apparatus is transmitted to the recording head 21 via the electrical contact board 31. The print signal passes through an electrical wiring member (for example, TAB) 32 and an electrical joint 33 and is sent to the recording chip 34 in which the nozzles in the recording head 21 are arranged. The recording chip 34 is obtained by forming an ink flow path and an ejection port on an electrothermal conversion element (heater) formed on a substrate through a semiconductor manufacturing process such as etching, vapor deposition, and sputtering. The signal applied to the electrothermal conversion element is converted into thermal energy. This thermal energy causes film boiling in the ink, and the ink is discharged from the ejection port by utilizing the change in pressure of the ink due to the growth and contraction of bubbles at that time. Discharged. The ejected ink droplets land on the recording medium to record an image.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus, the recording head can be replaced in preparation for a case where the image quality deteriorates due to an abnormality in the head. In such a case, recording heads having different head performances are mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus main body depending on the user, so that desired performance cannot be maintained by replacement, and image quality may be deteriorated. Therefore, in order to guarantee the desired performance of the ink jet recording apparatus itself, it is necessary to be able to follow the performance even when the head performance of the recording head varies.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 which is a perspective view of the recording head 21 as viewed from above, a bar as a recording medium is an information holding means for holding or displaying information on the head performance on the outer surface of the recording head 21 with a barcode. A code label 41 is affixed. Here, the bar code label 41 is recorded with head information related to the head ID, the drive pulse width Pw, the drive voltage Vop, and the like. By reading the head information and performing drive and print control suitable for the head performance, it is possible to guarantee the desired performance of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  Conventionally, a dedicated sensor has been prepared as means for reading head information as shown in FIG. 5 schematically showing the inside of the recording apparatus from the side. 51 is a scanner unit, 52 is a sensor, and 53 is a recording head.

  However, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the scanner unit 201 is arranged on the side of the document table cover 202 as shown in FIG. 1, a barcode as information holding means of the recording head using the scanner unit 201 is used. The head information can be read from the label 41. Reading of the head information is performed when the printer main body is turned on, when the recording head is replaced, or when a reading instruction is received from the host. At that timing, the recording head and the image scanner move to a predetermined position (for example, the home position of the recording head) where both face each other, and read out the head information. Further, the predetermined reading position is an area where the movable range of the recording head and the readable range of the image scanner overlap, that is, an area A surrounded by a thick line shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from the document cover 202 side. Any position within the range may be used. A transparent platen plate such as glass is disposed at a portion corresponding to a predetermined reading position on the document table 201 (see FIG. 2).

  The head information read by the image scanner is sent to the print control unit of the printer main body, and the print control unit performs print control such as drive pulse width, drive voltage, carriage scanning speed, and paper feed amount based on the head information. Thus, printing can be performed under desired optimum conditions of the ink jet recording apparatus.

  As described above, since the scanner unit 201 is arranged on the platen cover 202 side so that the recording head 21 can move within the reading range of the scanner unit 201, the barcode of the recording head 21 is used by using the scanner unit 201. The head information can be read from the label 41, and information about the performance of the head can be given to the printer body with a simple configuration and low cost. Even when the recording head is replaced, for example, the print setting corresponding to the replaced recording head can be automatically performed without performing a head driving adjustment operation by a user, a serviceman, or the like.

In the above, reading of the head information of the recording head has been described, but even when the ink tank is replaceable in preparation for when the ink remaining amount in the ink tank becomes low, the ink information from the ink tank is substantially the same. Can be read. A barcode label 71 as a recording medium, which is information holding means for holding or displaying information on ink performance as a barcode, is affixed to the outline of the ink tank 22 (see FIG. 7). The bar code label 71 records ink information relating to ink ID, ink characteristics, ink content, and the like. By reading these ink information and performing drive and print control adapted to the ink performance, it is possible to guarantee the desired performance of the ink jet recording apparatus.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a printer / image scanner integrated ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 8A is a side view and FIG. 8B is a top view. The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  The printer main body is mounted on the upper part of the document table cover 801 of the image scanner unit, the scanner unit 803 is installed on the document table 802, and the recording head 804 and the scanner unit 803 are arranged to face each other. As shown in FIG. 9 which is a perspective view of the recording head 804 as viewed from below, a bar code label 91 which is information holding means for holding or displaying information on the head performance is attached to the outer surface of the recording head 804. Information relating to the head such as the head ID, the driving pulse width Pw, and the driving voltage Vop displayed on the bar code label 91 is read out from the bar code label 91 as information holding means of the recording head 804 by the scanner unit 803. It becomes possible, and the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

Further, if at least a part of the ink tank 92 (for example, part B in FIG. 9) is made transparent so that the remaining amount of the ink stored in the ink tank 92 can be seen, the scanner unit 803 can store the ink in the ink tank 92. The remaining amount of ink can be detected. The transparent portion of the ink tank 92 is read from below the recording head 804 by the scanner unit 803 at a predetermined reading position. When the remaining amount of ink is sufficiently in the ink tank 92, the color of the ink can be seen from the transparent portion, and when the remaining amount of ink is almost exhausted, the color of the ink cannot be seen at the transparent portion. Therefore, when the image information obtained by reading the transparent portion of the ink tank 92 is sent to the printer main body and the image information is processed and the color of the ink cannot be recognized, a warning signal indicating a low ink level is sent to the host side. Can be sent.
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 10 schematically shows the inside of a printer / image scanner integrated ink jet recording apparatus applicable to the present embodiment from the side.

  As in the above-described embodiment, the scanner unit 203 and the recording head 21 are configured to face each other, and a lens 206A is disposed between them. The lens 206 </ b> A may be fixed at a predetermined reading position of the information holding unit 41, or may move following the recording head 21 or the scanner unit 203. By doing so, it is possible to improve the resolution when reading information from the information holding means 41 by the scanner unit 203. In other words, even if a lot of information is displayed finely on the information holding means 41 in the determined space, it can be read by the scanner unit 203. For example, in the case of a recording head unit in which a replaceable recording head and an ink tank are integrated, all information on both the recording head and ink is held in the information holding means 41 in a predetermined space in order to obtain a desired performance. Or it can be displayed. Further, if more detailed information is displayed, it is possible to print under more optimal conditions. Furthermore, if the lens 206B is used so that the lens is focused on the recording medium 25, a predetermined print pattern printed on the recording medium 25 by the recording head 21 is read by the scanner unit 203, thereby adjusting the ejection timing. Information of the recording head 21 such as the inclination of the recording head attached to the printer main body can be obtained. By transmitting and controlling these pieces of information to the printer main body, it is possible for the user to perform automatic adjustment without directly performing an adjustment operation.

It is a figure which shows the principal part of the inkjet recording device of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which fractured | ruptured a part which shows the principal part structure of the inkjet recording device of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the recording head of the ink jet recording device of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention from the lower part. It is the perspective view which looked at the recording head of the ink jet recording device of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention from the upper part. It is a figure which shows the structure of the inkjet recording device of a prior art example. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a scanning relationship of a recording head according to the present invention and a reading relationship of a scanner unit. It is the perspective view which looked at the recording head of the ink jet recording device of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention from the upper part. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the inkjet recording device of 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the recording head of the ink jet recording device of a 2nd embodiment concerning the present invention from the lower part. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the inkjet recording device of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

21 Recording Heads 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22K Ink Tank 23 Drive Motor 24 Drive Belt 25 Recording Medium 26 Paper Feed Conveying Mechanism 27 Suction Recovery Cap 31 Electrical Contact Substrate 32 Electrical Wiring Member 33 Electrical Joint 34 Recording Chip 41 Bar Code Label 51 Scanner unit 52 Sensor 53 Recording head 71, 91 Bar code label 92 Ink tank 201 Document table 202 Document table cover 203 Scanner unit 204 Platen plate 205 Driving belt 206A, 206B Lens 801 Document table cover 802 Document table 803 Scanner unit 804 Recording head

Claims (12)

A recording head for recording by discharging ink;
Image reading means for reading a document image;
An information holding means provided on the recording head and having information about the recording head and ink;
The recording apparatus, wherein the image reading unit reads information included in the information holding unit from the outside of the recording head.   The recording head includes a removable ink tank that stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head, and the information holding unit is provided in the ink tank and has information about the ink. Item 2. The recording device according to Item 1.   3. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is arranged or moved within a reading range of the image reading unit so that the information held by the information holding unit can be read by the image reading unit. Recording device.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls a recording operation by the recording head based on information read by the image reading unit.   5. The optical system according to claim 1, wherein an optical system is disposed between the information holding unit and the image reading unit in order to increase resolution when the information is read by the image reading unit. The recording device described in 1.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information holding unit is a barcode label on which information about the recording head and ink is recorded.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information holding unit is an ink color display unit that detects an ink color from a part of the shape of the recording head.   8. The ink remaining amount display unit according to claim 1, wherein the information holding unit is an ink remaining amount display unit capable of detecting the remaining amount of the ink in the recording head by making at least a part of the recording head transparent. The recording apparatus according to item 1. A recording control method in a recording apparatus comprising: a recording head that performs recording by discharging ink; and an image reading unit that reads an original image,
A step of reading information on the recording head and ink by the image reading unit;
And a step of controlling a recording operation by the recording head based on information read by the image reading means.   The method according to claim 9, wherein the image reading unit reads information relating to the recording head and ink from an information holding unit provided in the recording head.   The image reading unit reads information about the ink from an information holding unit that is detachably provided on the recording head and is provided in an ink tank that stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head. The method according to claim 9.   The method according to claim 9, wherein the image reading unit reads information about the recording head and ink from a predetermined print pattern formed on a recording medium by the recording head.

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