Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Controller
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-24
2004-11-23
Pham, Hai (Department: 2853)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Controller
C347S085000, C347S086000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06820956
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printer for performing printing on a recording medium. More particularly, the present invention relates to a printer that is connected to an information processing apparatus acting as a host and performs printing on the basis of data transmitted from the information processing apparatus. The present invention further relates to both a method for synchronizing time information transmitted from the information processing apparatus and the time information of the printer and a method for performing preprinting preparation operations by using the time information, which allows the user to perform printing with stability when he/she performs printing for the first time after he/she has bought the printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some printers that perform printing on a recording medium perform predetermined preliminary operations before performing actual printing operations.
For example, an ink-jet printer that performs printing by using an ink-jet head, which ejects ink onto a recording medium, has a head-cleaning system. The head cleaning system is used for preventing the ink from drying when it is not used and choking the nozzle of the ink-jet head. For maintaining a good printing quality, head cleaning including a suction operation and a preliminary ejection operation is performed at predetermined time intervals. In many cases, the head cleaning is automatically performed at the start of printing. That is to say, the printing triggers the head cleaning.
It takes much time until the printing is started after the user gives the instruction to start printing, since it takes much time for the printer to become ready to start printing after performing many kinds of data processing. Further, the above-described head cleaning or the head maintenance can be performed after the printer is ready to start printing after it develops the print data to the buffer thereof. Therefore, the time required until the start of printing is determined by adding the time required for the head cleaning to the time required for the data processing. Accordingly, the time from when the user gives the printer his/her instruction to start printing until the completion of printing becomes long.
An invention for solving the above-described problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-163225. According to the invention, when a user gives a printer an instruction to start printing, a host that is an information processing apparatus (including a personal computer) transmits a preprinting notice signal to the printer before transmitting print data thereto. The printer translates the signal received via the communication means thereof. When the translation shows that the signal instructs the printer to perform preprinting preparation operations, the printer starts performing the preprinting preparation operations, such as cleaning required for performing printing, before receiving the print data. When the signal sent to the printer is the print data, the printer performs printing on the basis of the print data.
The preprinting notice signal transmitted from the information processing apparatus may include time information, an instruction to perform a preliminary operation, resolution of print area, image size, type of paper, feeding method, and so forth. Recently, the ink-jet printer, which is connected to the host and has communication means, calculates the non-operating time thereof by using the time information and performs cleaning including suction, preliminary ejection, and so forth corresponding to the calculated non-operating time. Incidentally, when the printer has a timer, which is used for measuring the non-operating time, and performs suction by using it, these operations are referred to as timer suction.
The above-described printer, which has the communication means for communicating with the information processing apparatus, uses the time information transmitted from the information processing apparatus so that the printer can perform preprinting preliminary operations corresponding to the non-operating time of the printer when the AC power supply of the printer is turned off. However, when the information processing apparatus transmits the time information to the printer for the first time after the user bought the printer, the printer cannot perform the preprinting preparation operations properly. This is because the printer does not have information about the time between the shipment time thereof and the time when the user will operate the printer for the first time after the purchase thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this end, a printer according to an aspect of the present invention performs printing operations on a recording medium. The printing operations are performed on the basis of the data transmitted from an information processing apparatus. The printer comprises a preprinting preparation unit for performing predetermined preparation operations. The predetermined preparation operations are performed before the printing operations are performed. The printer further comprises a storing unit for storing first time information indicating the time when the predetermined preparation operations were last performed. The printer further comprises a controlling unit that receives second time information about the current time transmitted from the information processing apparatus. The control unit also calculates the time elapsed between the time indicated by the first time information, representing the time when the predetermined preparation operations were last performed, and the time indicated by the second time information, representing the current time, and controls the predetermined preparation operations on the basis of the elapsed time. The printer further comprises an information-updating unit for updating the first time information stored in the storing unit at the time when the predetermined preparation operations are performed. The controlling unit controls the predetermined preparation operations irrespective of whether the value of the elapsed time is calculated to be positive or negative.
Preferably, the initial value of the first time information of the storing unit may be set to a time later than the shipment time of the printer.
Preferably, the initial value of the first time information stored in the storing unit may be set to a time determined by adding a predetermined time to the shipment time of the printer.
Preferably, the initial value of the first time information stored in the storing unit may be set to a time later than a period in which the printer is expected to be used, and the calculated value of the elapsed time may be negative when the printing operations are performed for the first time.
Preferably, the period may be determined on the basis of the lifecycle of the printer.
Preferably, when the calculated value of the elapsed time is negative, the control unit may control the predetermined preparation operations so as to suit to a case where the printing operations are performed in the printer for the first time.
Preferably, the printer may be an ink-jet printer, which performs printing by ejecting ink onto the recording medium by using an ink-jet head that ejects ink, and the predetermined preparation operations may be cleaning operations performed by the ink-jet head.
Preferably, the control unit may control the ink-jet head to perform the cleaning operations corresponding to the elapsed time.
Preferably, the printer may further comprise a table that defines the cleaning operations corresponding to the elapsed time, and the control unit may refer to the table on the basis of the elapsed time and may select the cleaning operations.
Preferably, the printer may further comprise a preliminary ejection unit for performing cleaning operations by making the ink-jet head eject the ink and a suction unit for performing ink discharge by applying a suction to the ink-jet head. The control unit may perform the cleaning operations corresponding to the elapsed tim
Hamasaki Yuji
Kanda Hidehiko
Sakamoto Atsushi
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Nguyen Lam
Pham Hai
LandOfFree
Printer and method for controlling same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Printer and method for controlling same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Printer and method for controlling same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3322199