JP4529426B2 - Printing apparatus, printing method, and printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing system.

An ink jet printer is known as one of printing apparatuses that perform printing by discharging a liquid toward a medium. The ink jet printer performs printing by ejecting ink as a liquid onto a medium such as paper. Recently, in such an ink jet printer, a printing function is provided in which ink is applied to the edge of the medium, and the ink removed from the medium is deposited on a deposition portion provided with an absorbent material.
JP 2003-191502 A

  However, such printing has the following problems. That is, among the ejected inks, there are inks with low permeability and inks that are easily solidified. When such ink is removed from the medium and reaches the absorbent material in the accumulation portion, it may not easily penetrate into the absorbent material and may remain as it is. When the ink is accumulated and piled up in this way, the ink is piled up sequentially on the absorbent material, and there is a possibility that the medium to be printed will be soiled eventually.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is to suppress the accumulation of ink that has come off the medium.

A main invention for achieving the above object is that a plurality of nozzles that discharge cyan ink toward a medium are arranged in a cyan nozzle row and a plurality of nozzles that discharge magenta ink toward the medium are A magenta nozzle row arranged in the carrying direction, a plurality of nozzles that discharge yellow ink toward the medium, a yellow nozzle row arranged in the carrying direction, and a plurality of nozzles that eject black ink toward the medium are arranged in the carrying direction. A head having a black nozzle row and movable in a movement direction intersecting the conveyance direction, the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, the yellow nozzle row, and the movement arranged side by side in the conveyance direction deposition portion der depositing a head the black nozzle row are arranged side by side in a direction, the ink does not land on the medium An upstream groove provided along the moving direction at a position facing the upstream nozzle in the transport direction of the black nozzle row, and a downstream side of the black nozzle row in the transport direction. A downstream groove provided along the moving direction at a position facing the nozzle of the nozzle, and an upstream groove and the downstream groove at a position of a side end that is an end of the medium in the moving direction. In a printing apparatus including a stacking unit provided with a side end groove portion provided along the transport direction between, when performing monochrome borderless printing, among the plurality of nozzles of the black nozzle row, By black ink ejected from nozzles in a portion aligned with any one of the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, and the yellow nozzle row. When monochrome printing is performed on the medium and monochrome printing is performed on the medium, and the medium is not present on a support member for supporting the medium, the cyan nozzle row and the medium Of the magenta nozzle row and the yellow nozzle row, the printing apparatus is characterized in that ink is ejected from the nozzle row that is aligned with the nozzle that ejects the black ink during the monochrome borderless printing to the side end groove portion .

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Without adding a special mechanism, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of ink that has come off the medium.

  At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

In a printing apparatus including a plurality of movable nozzle groups that discharge liquid toward a medium and a deposition unit that deposits the liquid that does not land on the medium, a predetermined nozzle group among the plurality of nozzle groups A printing apparatus, wherein after printing on the medium by the liquid to be ejected, the liquid is ejected to the accumulation portion from a nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group.
In such a printing apparatus, after printing on the medium by the liquid ejected from the predetermined nozzle group among the plurality of nozzle groups, the nozzle unit is separated from the nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group to the deposition unit. Since the liquid is ejected, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of ink that has come off the medium.

Each nozzle group preferably has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the nozzle group moves, and the plurality of nozzle groups are preferably arranged in parallel.
In such a printing apparatus, each nozzle group has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a direction intersecting the direction in which the nozzle group moves, and the plurality of nozzle groups are arranged in parallel. After printing on the medium with the liquid ejected from the predetermined nozzle group among the plurality of nozzle groups, the liquid was ejected from the nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group to the deposition portion, and detached from the medium Ink piles can be suppressed.

Each nozzle group has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a direction crossing the direction in which the nozzle group moves, and it is a predetermined nozzle of one nozzle group that discharges liquid when printing on the medium. The predetermined nozzle and the another nozzle group are preferably aligned in the moving direction.
In such a printing apparatus, each nozzle group has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a direction crossing the direction in which the nozzle group moves, and the liquid is ejected when printing on the medium. A predetermined nozzle of one nozzle group, and the predetermined nozzle and the different nozzle group are arranged in a moving direction, and therefore, the liquid is discharged from the predetermined nozzle group among the plurality of nozzle groups to the medium. After printing, it is possible to discharge liquid from the nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group to the accumulation portion, and to suppress the accumulation of ink that has come off the medium.

It is preferable that the liquid accumulated in the accumulation portion is crushed by the liquid ejected from the other nozzle group.
In such a printing apparatus, the liquid accumulated in the accumulation portion is crushed by the liquid ejected from the other nozzle group, so that it is possible to suppress the accumulation of ink that has come off the medium. .

It is preferable that the liquid is ejected from the separate nozzle group to the deposition portion each time a predetermined number of the media are printed.
In such a printing apparatus, it is possible to discharge liquid from the separate nozzle group to the accumulation portion every time a predetermined number of the media are printed.

After all the images to be printed are printed on the medium, it is preferable that the liquid is discharged from the separate nozzle group to the deposition portion.
In such a printing apparatus, after all the images to be printed are printed on the medium, it is possible to discharge liquid from the separate nozzle group to the deposition portion.

When the medium does not exist on a support member for supporting the medium, it is preferable that liquid is discharged from the another nozzle group to the deposition unit.
In such a printing apparatus, when the medium does not exist on the support member for supporting the medium, the liquid is discharged from the another nozzle group to the deposition portion. It is possible to prevent the medium from being soiled by the liquid discharged from the liquid.

It is preferable that the deposition unit deposits the liquid that does not land on the side end of the medium.
In such a printing apparatus, the deposition unit can deposit the liquid that does not land on the side end of the medium.

It is preferable to perform borderless printing on the medium.
In such a printing apparatus, it is possible to perform borderless printing on the medium.

In the case where borderless printing is not performed on the medium, it is preferable that liquid is not discharged from the other nozzle group to the deposition portion after printing on the medium.
In such a printing apparatus, when borderless printing is not performed on the medium, the liquid is wasted because the liquid is not discharged from the other nozzle group to the deposition portion after printing on the medium. It is possible to prevent consumption.

The liquid ejected from the predetermined nozzle group is preferably black.
In such a printing apparatus, since the liquid ejected from the predetermined nozzle group is black, it is possible to print on the medium in black.

The liquid is preferably ink.
In such a printing apparatus, since the liquid is ink, ink can be ejected from the plurality of nozzle groups.

In addition, in a printing apparatus including a plurality of movable nozzle groups that discharge liquid toward a medium and a deposition unit that deposits the liquid that does not land on the medium, a predetermined nozzle among the plurality of nozzle groups After printing on the medium with the liquid ejected from the group, the liquid is ejected from the nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group to the deposition portion, and each nozzle group intersects the direction in which the nozzle group moves. A plurality of nozzles arranged in a direction, and the plurality of nozzle groups are arranged in parallel to each other, and the liquid deposited on the deposition unit is crushed by the liquid ejected from the other nozzle group, and the medium Each time a predetermined number of sheets are printed, liquid is ejected from the another nozzle group to the deposition portion, and when the medium is not present on a support member for supporting the medium, the other nozzle group In the case where the liquid is discharged to the depositing unit, the depositing unit deposits the liquid that does not land on the side edge of the medium, performs borderless printing on the medium, and does not perform marginless printing on the medium. After printing on the medium, the liquid is not ejected from the different nozzle group to the deposition portion, the liquid ejected from the predetermined nozzle group is black, and the liquid is ink. A characteristic printing apparatus can also be realized.
In this way, the effects of the present invention can be achieved most effectively because all the effects described above can be achieved.

Further, after printing on the medium with a liquid ejected from a predetermined nozzle group among a plurality of movable nozzle groups for ejecting liquid toward the medium, the medium from a nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group It is also possible to realize a printing method characterized by ejecting a liquid to a depositing section where the liquid that does not land on the deposit is deposited.
The printing method realized in this way is a better method than the conventional method.

A printing system including a computer main body and a printing apparatus connectable to the computer main body, the printing apparatus including a plurality of movable nozzle groups that discharge liquid toward the medium, and the medium on the medium. A depositing section for depositing the liquid that does not land on the medium, and after printing on the medium with the liquid ejected from the predetermined nozzle group among the plurality of nozzle groups, from a nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group It is also possible to realize a printing system that discharges liquid to the deposition unit.
The printing system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

=== Overview of Printing Apparatus ===
As an example of the printing apparatus according to the present invention, an inkjet printer will be described as an example. FIGS. 1-6 is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of one Embodiment of the inkjet printer 1. FIG. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an embodiment of the inkjet printer 1. 2 shows a block configuration of the inkjet printer 1, and FIG. 3 shows a carriage of the inkjet printer 1 and its peripheral portion. FIG. 4 shows a transport section of the inkjet printer 1 and its peripheral part, FIG. 5 shows an array of ink discharge nozzles provided on the lower surface of the discharge head, and FIG. 6 shows a drive circuit for the discharge nozzles. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 has a structure for discharging a printing medium such as printing paper supplied from the back side from the front side, and an operation panel 2 and a paper discharge unit 3 are provided on the front side. , A paper feeding unit 4 is provided on the back surface thereof, and a speaker 75 is provided on the side surface thereof. The operation panel 2 is provided with various operation buttons 5, a display lamp 6, and a display panel 74. Further, the paper discharge unit 3 is provided with a paper discharge tray 7 that closes the paper discharge port when not in use. The paper feed unit 4 is provided with a paper feed tray 8 that holds cut paper (not shown). Note that the inkjet printer 1 may include a paper feed structure that can print not only on single-sheet-like printing paper such as cut paper, but also on continuous printing media such as roll paper.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the ink jet printer 1 includes a paper transport unit 10, an ink discharge unit 20, a cleaning unit 30, a carriage unit 40, and a measuring instrument. A group 50 and a control unit 60 are provided.

  A paper transport unit 10 as an example of a transport unit that transports a medium sends a print medium such as paper, for example, to a printable position, and prints in a predetermined direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. This is for moving the paper by a predetermined movement amount in the paper conveyance direction)). That is, the paper transport unit 10 functions as a transport mechanism that transports a medium such as paper. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper transport unit 10 includes a paper insertion slot 11A and a roll paper insertion slot 11B, a paper feed motor (not shown), a paper feed roller 13, a platen 14, a paper transport motor (hereinafter referred to as “paper feed motor”). (PF motor) 15, paper transport motor driver (hereinafter referred to as PF motor driver) 16, transport roller 17 A, paper discharge roller 17 B, free roller 18 A, and free roller 18 B. However, in order for the paper transport unit 10 to function as a transport mechanism, all of these components are not necessarily required.

  The paper insertion slot 11A is where the paper S, which is a medium, is inserted. The paper feed motor (not shown) is a motor that transports the paper S inserted into the paper insertion slot 11A into the printer 1, and is constituted by a pulse motor. The paper feed roller 13 is a roller that automatically transports the paper inserted into the paper insertion slot 11 into the printer 1, and is driven by the paper feed motor 12. The paper feed roller 13 has a substantially D-shaped cross section. Since the circumferential length of the circumferential portion of the paper feed roller 13 is set to be longer than the transport distance to the PF motor 15, the print medium can be transported to the PF motor 15 using this circumferential portion. A plurality of media are prevented from being fed at a time by the rotational driving force of the feed roller 13 and the frictional resistance of a separation pad (not shown).

  The platen 14 is a support means for supporting the paper S being printed. As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 14 includes a groove portion 80 for depositing liquid ejected by the ejection head and not landing on the medium. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the PF motor 15 is a motor that feeds, for example, paper as a medium in the paper conveyance direction, and is configured by a DC motor. The PF motor driver 16 is for driving the PF motor 15. The transport roller 17 </ b> A is a roller that feeds the paper S transported into the printer by the paper feed roller 13 to a printable area, and is driven by the PF motor 15. The free roller 18A (see FIG. 4) is provided at a position facing the conveyance roller 17A, and presses the paper S toward the conveyance roller 17A by sandwiching the paper S between the conveyance roller 17A.

  The paper discharge roller 17B (see FIG. 4) is a roller that discharges the printed paper S to the outside of the printer. The paper discharge roller 17B is driven by the PF motor 15 by a gear (not shown). The free roller 18B is provided at a position facing the paper discharge roller 17B, and presses the paper S toward the paper discharge roller 17B by sandwiching the paper S between the paper discharge roller 17B.

  The ink ejection unit 20 is for ejecting ink onto, for example, paper that is a printing medium. The ink discharge unit 20 includes a discharge head 21 and a head driver 22 as shown in FIG. The ejection head 21 has a plurality of nozzles that are ink ejection sections, and ejects ink intermittently from each nozzle. The head driver 22 is for driving the discharge head 21 to discharge ink intermittently from the discharge head 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning unit 30 is for preventing clogging of the nozzles of the ejection head 21. The cleaning unit 30 includes a pump device 31 and a capping device 35. The pump device 31 sucks out ink from the nozzles in order to prevent clogging of the nozzles of the discharge head 21, and includes a pump motor 32 and a pump motor driver 33. The pump motor 32 sucks ink from the nozzles of the ejection head 21. The pump motor driver 33 drives the pump motor 32. The capping device 35 seals the nozzles of the ejection head 21 when printing is not performed (standby) in order to prevent clogging of the nozzles of the ejection head 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carriage unit 40 is for moving the ejection head 21 in a predetermined direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2). The carriage unit 40 includes a carriage 41, a carriage motor (hereinafter referred to as a CR motor) 42, a carriage motor driver (hereinafter referred to as a CR motor driver) 43, a pulley 44, a timing belt 45, and a guide rail 46. . The carriage 41 is movable and fixes the ejection head 21 (therefore, the nozzles of the ejection head 21 eject ink intermittently while moving). Further, the carriage 41 detachably holds ink cartridges 48 and 49 that contain ink. The CR motor 42 is a motor that moves the carriage 41 and is constituted by a DC motor. The CR motor driver 43 is for driving the CR motor 42. The pulley 44 is attached to the rotating shaft of the CR motor 42. The timing belt 45 is driven by a pulley 44. The guide rail 46 guides the carriage 41.

  The measuring instrument group 50 includes a linear encoder 51, a rotary encoder 52, and a paper detection sensor 53. The linear encoder 51 is for detecting the position of the carriage 41. The rotary encoder 52 is for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 17A. The configuration of the encoder will be described later. The paper detection sensor 53 is for detecting the position of the leading edge of the paper to be printed. The paper detection sensor 53 is provided at a position where the paper feed roller 13 can detect the position of the leading edge of the paper while the paper is being conveyed toward the conveyance roller 17A. The paper detection sensor 53 is a mechanical sensor that detects the leading edge of the paper by a mechanical mechanism. More specifically, the paper detection sensor 53 has a lever that can rotate in the paper transport direction, and this lever is disposed so as to protrude into the paper transport path. For this reason, since the leading edge of the paper comes into contact with the lever and the lever is rotated, the paper detection sensor 53 detects the position of the leading edge of the paper by detecting the movement of the lever.

  The control unit 60 is for controlling the printer. The control unit 60 includes a CPU 61, a timer 62, an interface unit 63, an ASIC 64, a memory 65, and a DC controller 66. The CPU 61 controls the entire printer, and gives control commands to the DC controller 66, the PF motor driver 16, the CR motor driver 43, the pump motor driver 32, and the head driver 22. The timer 62 periodically generates an interrupt signal for the CPU 61. The interface unit 63 transmits / receives data to / from a host computer 67 provided outside the printer. The ASIC 64 controls the printing resolution, the ejection head drive waveform, and the like based on print information sent from the host computer 67 via the interface unit 63. The memory 65 is for securing an area for storing the programs of the ASIC 64 and the CPU 61, a work area, and the like, and has storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM. The DC controller 66 controls the PF motor driver 16 and the CR motor driver 43 based on the control command sent from the CPU 61 and the output from the measuring instrument group 50.

  In such an ink jet printer 1, during printing, the paper S is intermittently transported by a predetermined transport amount by the transport roller 17 </ b> A, and the carriage 41 moves between the intermittent transports in the transport direction by the transport roller 17 </ b> A. Ink is ejected from the ejection head 21 toward the paper S while moving along the crossing direction, that is, the horizontal direction here. With the ejected ink, dots are formed on the paper S, and a large number of the dots are formed to form an image on the paper S.

=== Discharge Mechanism of Discharge Head 21 ===
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an array of ink ejection nozzles provided on the lower surface of the ejection head 21. On the lower surface of the discharge head 21, as shown in the figure, for each color of transparent and colorless clear ink, black ink (K), cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M) and yellow ink (Y), respectively. A nozzle row 211 composed of a plurality of nozzles # 1 to # 13 is provided. Of these colors, black ink (K) corresponds to an achromatic color, and cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M), and yellow ink (Y) correspond to chromatic colors. Further, the transparent and colorless clear ink improves achromatic and chromatic color light. The nozzles # 1 to # 13 are arranged linearly along the transport direction of the paper S. Each nozzle row 211 is arranged in parallel with a space between each other along the moving direction of the ejection head 21. Each nozzle # 1 to # 13 is provided with a piezo element (not shown) as a drive element for ejecting ink droplets.

  When a voltage having a predetermined time width is applied between the electrodes provided at both ends of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element expands according to the voltage application time and deforms the side wall of the ink flow path. As a result, the volume of the ink flow path contracts according to the expansion and contraction of the piezo element, and the ink corresponding to the contraction is ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 13 of the respective colors as ink droplets.

  FIG. 6 shows drive circuits for the nozzles # 1 to # 13. As shown in the figure, the drive circuit includes an original drive signal generator 221, a plurality of mask circuits 222, and a drive signal correction circuit 223. The original drive signal generator 221 generates an original signal ODRV that is used in common by the nozzles # 1 to # 13. The original signal ODRV is a signal including two pulses, a first pulse W1 and a second pulse W2, as shown in the lower part of the drawing within the time when the carriage 41 crosses the interval of one pixel. The original signal ODRV generated by the original drive signal generator 221 is output to each mask circuit 222.

  The mask circuit 222 is provided corresponding to a plurality of piezoelectric elements that drive the nozzles # 1 to # 13 of the ejection head 21, respectively. Each mask circuit 222 receives the original signal ODRV from the original signal generator 221 and the print signal PRT (i). The print signal PRT (i) is pixel data corresponding to a pixel, and is a binary signal having 2-bit information for one pixel. The mask circuit 222 blocks or passes the original signal ODRV according to the level of the print signal PRT (i). That is, when the print signal PRT (i) is at level “0”, the pulse of the original signal ODRV is cut off, while when the print signal PRT (i) is at level “1”, the corresponding pulse of the original signal ODRV is passed as it is. And output to the drive signal correction circuit 223 as the drive signal DRV.

  The drive signal correction circuit 223 performs correction by shifting the timing of the waveform of the drive signal DRV from the mask circuit 222. The timing shift width of the waveform of the drive signal DRV to be corrected here is appropriately adjusted according to an instruction from the CPU 61 or the like. That is, the drive signal correction circuit 223 can shift the waveform of the drive signal DRV to a desired timing according to an instruction from the CPU 61 or the like. The drive signal DRV corrected by the drive signal correction circuit 223 is output toward the piezo elements of the nozzles # 1 to # 13. The piezo elements of the nozzles # 1 to # 13 are driven based on the drive signal DRV from the drive signal correction circuit 223 to discharge ink. Note that the drive circuit including the original drive signal generator 221, the plurality of mask circuits 222, and the drive signal correction circuit 223 corresponds to the ejection control means of the present invention.

  In the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment, such a drive circuit for the nozzles # 1 to # 13 is provided for each nozzle row 211, that is, clear ink, black ink (K), cyan ink (C), magenta ink ( M) and yellow ink (Y) are provided for each nozzle row 211 (clear), 211 (K), 211 (C), 211 (M), 211 (Y), and are individually piezo for each nozzle row. The element is driven.

  In this embodiment, the ink ejected from the ejection head is an ink of each color of black ink (K), cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M), and yellow ink (Y). However, the present invention is not limited to these, and includes cases where inks of other colors other than these are ejected. In addition, in the present invention, for the purpose of use in printing, a liquid having a special function used with these inks is also referred to as “ink” for convenience.

=== Host processing ===
FIG. 7 is a diagram for schematically explaining the processing of the host 67. As shown in the figure, the host 67 includes a computer main body 90 connected to the printer 1 and a display device 93. A computer program 96 called a “printer driver” that controls the operation of the printer 1 is installed in the computer main body 90. As shown in the figure, the printer driver 96 has an application program 95 operating under a predetermined operating system installed in the host 67. A video driver 91 and a printer driver 96 are incorporated in the operating system, and print data PD for transfer to the inkjet printer 1 is output from the application program 95 via these drivers. The application program 95 that performs image retouching or the like performs desired processing on the image to be processed, and displays the image on the display device 93 via the video driver 91.

  When the application program 95 issues a print command, the printer driver 96 of the computer main body 90 receives image data from the application program 95 and converts it into print data PD to be supplied to the inkjet printer 1. The printer driver 96 includes a resolution conversion module 97, a color conversion module 98, a halftone module 99, a rasterizer 100, a user interface display module 101, a UI printer interface module 102, and a color conversion lookup table LUT. And are provided.

  The resolution conversion module 97 plays a role of converting the resolution of the color image data formed by the application program 95 into the print resolution. The image data thus converted in resolution is still image information composed of three color components of RGB. The color conversion module 98 converts RGB image data into multi-tone data of a plurality of ink colors that can be used by the inkjet printer 1 for each pixel while referring to the color conversion lookup table LUT.

  The color-converted multi-gradation data has, for example, 256 gradation values. The halftone module 99 performs so-called halftone processing to generate halftone image data. The halftone image data is rearranged in the order of data to be transferred to the inkjet printer 1 by the rasterizer 100, and is output to the inkjet printer 1 as final print data PD. The print data PD includes raster data indicating the dot formation state during each main scan and data indicating the sub-scan feed amount.

  The user interface display module 101 has a function of displaying various user interface windows related to printing, and a function of receiving user input in these windows.

  The UI printer interface module 102 has a function of interfacing between a user interface (UI) and the printer 1. Interpret the command instructed by the user through the user interface and send various commands COM to the inkjet printer 1, or conversely interpret the command COM received from the inkjet printer 1 and perform various displays on the user interface. .

  The printer driver 96 realizes a function of transmitting / receiving various commands COM, a function of supplying print data PD to the inkjet printer 1, and the like. A program for realizing the function of the printer driver 96 is supplied in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of such a recording medium include a flexible disk, CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, IC card, ROM cartridge, punch card, printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, an internal storage device of the host 67 (RAM, ROM, etc. Various media that can be read by the host 67 such as an external storage device and the like. It is also possible to download such a computer program to the computer main body 90 via the Internet.

=== Borderless printing ===
In the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment, as a printing mode, in addition to the normal printing mode in which normal printing is performed, marginless printing in which “marginless printing” in which ink is applied to the edge of the medium or at the last minute is performed. Has a mode.
The normal print mode is a mode in which printing is performed so that the print area P fits on the paper S. FIG. 8 shows the size relationship between the print area P and the paper S in the normal print mode. As shown in the figure, the printing area P is set so as to be accommodated in the paper S, and margins are formed in the outer peripheral portion of the paper S, that is, both the left and right side edges and the upper and lower side edges.

  When the normal print mode is set, the printer driver 96 generates the print data PD so that the print area P fits on the paper S based on the image data given from the application program. Here, when processing image data that cannot fit the printing area P in the paper S, a part of the image represented by the image data is excluded from the print target, or the image is reduced. Or the like so that it fits on the paper S.

  On the other hand, the “borderless printing mode” is a mode in which printing is performed so that no margin is formed on the paper S. Ink is also ejected to a region outside the paper S. FIG. 9 shows the size relationship between the print area P and the paper S in the “borderless print mode”. As shown in the drawing, in the “paperless printing mode”, the printing area P is set to be larger than the paper S. No margins are formed at the peripheral edge of the paper S, that is, both the left and right side edges and the top and bottom side edges.

  The printer driver 96 can generate print data PD such that the print region P protrudes from the paper S when the “borderless print mode” is set. Here, when processing image data such that the print area P is smaller than the paper S, the print area P can be enlarged so that the print area P extends over the entire paper S. As a result, it is possible to perform printing excellent in appearance without borders.

<Processing of discarded ink>
Ink that is removed from the paper S and discarded in the “marginless printing mode” may adversely affect the platen 14. For this reason, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the groove portion 80 for depositing liquid ejected by the ejection head and not landing on the medium.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the groove 80. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the groove 80. As shown in FIG. 10, the groove 80 is formed on the platen 14 as a concave cross section. The groove 80 is provided in a straight line along the moving direction of the carriage 41. In the example of FIG. 10, the groove portions 80 are respectively provided in the upstream portion in the paper transport direction in which the paper S is transported and in the downstream portion in the paper transport direction. In the groove 80, there is provided an absorbing material 84 that absorbs the discarded ink. The absorbent 84 is made of various materials capable of absorbing ink, such as sponge. The discarded ink reaches the absorber 84 and can be absorbed by the absorber 84.

  However, for example, when ink having low permeability is collected in the groove 80, there is a possibility that the ink does not easily penetrate into the absorber 84 of the groove 80 and remains. If the ink remains on the absorber 84, it is expected that the ink will be accumulated and will be piled up and the paper S will become dirty during printing. The ink having low permeability is an ink having low permeability for a material that generally absorbs liquid, such as paper or sponge. Specifically, for example, because of its large molecule, it has no permeability at all to absorbent materials, but has a permeability to that material, but its penetration rate is slow, Including those that take a considerable amount of time. Of course, the ink composition as a whole is not limited to low penetrability, and if even a part of the composition has low penetrability, it becomes a “low penetrability ink”. For example, there are cases where the solvent of the ink has high permeability, but the coloring material contained therein has low permeability.

  Further, the ink collected by the groove 80 is the nozzles # 1 to # 4 and the nozzles # 10 to # 10 which are arranged to face the groove 80 among the nozzles # 1 to # 13 provided in the ejection head 21. 13 is only the ink ejected from 13. The other nozzles, that is, the nozzles # 5 to # 9 are not arranged to face the groove portion 80, and therefore, the ejected ink cannot be collected by the groove portion 80. That is, in “marginless printing”, printing is performed by using only nozzles # 1 to # 4 and # 10 to # 13 without using nozzles # 5 to # 9. In “marginless printing”, ink that is ejected from the nozzles # 1 to # 4 and # 10 to # 13 and does not land on the paper S accumulates in the groove 80.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, only the upstream groove portion provided on the straight line in the upstream portion in the paper conveyance direction and the downstream groove portion provided on the straight line in the downstream portion in the paper conveyance direction are shown. . However, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 12A, the groove 80 is formed in a left-side groove provided on the left end of the platen in a straight line along the paper conveyance direction, and on the right end of the platen in the paper conveyance direction. And a right-side groove provided on a straight line.

  Then, the ink ejected toward the upstream print area in the paper transport direction in the print area outside the paper S shown in FIG. 9 accumulates in the upstream groove shown in FIG. Ink that is ejected toward the printing area downstream of the sheet conveyance direction in the printing area outside the sheet S shown in FIG. 9 accumulates in the downstream groove shown in FIG.

  Then, the ink ejected toward the print area on the left side in the carriage movement direction in the print area outside the paper S shown in FIG. 9 accumulates in the left groove. The ink ejected toward the print area on the right side in the carriage movement direction in the print area outside the paper S shown in FIG. 9 accumulates in the right groove.

  If the ink accumulated in the groove portion is piled up, when the paper S is transported, the paper S may come into contact with the piled ink and become dirty. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a process of breaking down the stacked ink is executed so that the paper S does not come into contact with the stacked ink and become dirty. In the following description of the printing process, a process for destroying the piled ink will be described.

=== About print processing ===
Next, the printing process will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a first flowchart for explaining the printing process. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which ink is ejected from ejection heads in a horizontal array and printing is performed on a medium. FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the ejection heads in the horizontal arrangement face the groove side end. FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which ink is accumulated in the ink accumulation unit. FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the crest of ink accumulated in the ink accumulation unit is destroyed by the ink ejected from the ejection head. FIG. 14 is a second flowchart for explaining the printing process.

  First, the first printing process will be described with reference to FIG. The user instructs to perform printing in the application program 95 or the like (step S11). When the application program 95 that has received this instruction issues a print command, the printer driver 96 of the computer 90 receives image data from the application program 95 and receives the raster data indicating the dot formation state during carriage movement and the carriage. The print data PD including the data indicating the movement direction feed amount is converted. Further, the printer driver 96 supplies the print data PD to the inkjet printer 1 together with various commands COM. The inkjet printer 1 transmits these to the CPU 61 or the DC controller 66 after receiving them by the interface unit 63.

  Further, the user can instruct the user interface display module 101 to perform the size of the paper S or borderless printing. The instruction by the user is received by the user interface display module 101 and sent to the UI printer interface module 102. The UI printer interface module 102 interprets the instructed command and transmits a command COM to the inkjet printer 1. The inkjet printer 1 receives the command COM by the interface unit 63 and then transmits the command COM to the CPU 61 or the DC controller 66.

In step S <b> 12, the inkjet printer 1 feeds the paper S by driving the PF motor 15 by the paper feed motor driver 16 based on a command transmitted to the DC controller 66.
In step S <b> 13, the CPU 61 drives the ejection head 21 with the head driver 22 to eject ink.
In step S <b> 14, the CPU 61 carries the paper S. The CPU 61 drives the transport motor and rotates the transport roller to transport the paper S in the transport direction. By this carrying process, the ejection head 21 can eject ink to a position different from the position where ink was previously ejected.

In step S15, the CPU 61 determines whether printing of the fed paper S has been completed. If the CPU 61 determines in step S15 that printing of the fed paper S has not been completed, the process returns to step S13, and the processes in steps S13 and S14 are repeated again. If the CPU 61 determines in step S15 that printing of the fed paper S has been completed, the process proceeds to step S16.
In step S16, the CPU 61 discharges the printed paper S to the outside by rotating the paper discharge roller.
In step S17, the CPU 61 determines whether or not a predetermined number of printing sheets have been printed. If the CPU 61 determines in step S17 that the predetermined number of print sheets have not been printed, the process returns to step S12. In step S12, a new sheet S is fed again, and the subsequent processing is repeated. If the CPU 61 determines in step S17 that a predetermined number of printing sheets have been printed, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S <b> 18, the CPU 61 determines whether or not the printing method is “marginless printing”. In order to determine whether or not the printing method is “marginless printing”, it is determined based on whether or not the command COM received by the interface unit 63 includes an instruction to perform “marginless printing”. That is, when the command COM includes a command for performing “marginless printing”, the CPU 61 determines that the printing method is “marginless printing”. If the command COM does not include a command to perform “marginless printing”, the CPU 61 determines that the printing method is not “marginless printing”. If the CPU 61 determines in step S18 that the printing method is “borderless printing”, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the CPU 61 drives the CR motor 42 to move the carriage 41 to a position where the ejection head 21 faces the groove side end portion 80D (80C). Here, the manner in which the ejection head 21 faces the groove side end 80D will be described. In the process of step S13, the state in which the ink is ejected from the ejection head 21 is as shown in FIG. 12A. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the groove 80 for depositing ink that does not land on the paper S includes an upstream groove 80A that is linearly provided upstream in the paper conveyance direction in which the paper S is conveyed, and downstream in the paper conveyance direction. A downstream groove 80B provided on a straight line in the section, a left groove 80C provided on the left end of the platen 14 along the paper conveyance direction, and a straight line along the paper conveyance direction on the right end of the platen 14 It is comprised from the right side groove part 80D provided on the top. The plurality of nozzle rows provided on the lower surface portion of the ejection head 21 are arranged in parallel along the movement direction of the ejection head 21 (the left-right direction in the drawing). That is, a plurality of nozzles are provided on the lower surface of the ejection head 21 for each color of transparent and colorless clear ink, black ink (K), cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M), and yellow ink (Y). Is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, black ink is ejected from the nozzle row 211 (K), and black and black are printed on the paper S.

  In step S19, the state in which the ejection head 21 faces the groove side end 80D is as shown in FIG. 12B. In the example shown in FIG. 12B, the carriage 41 is moved to a position where the nozzle row 211 (C) faces the groove side end 80D. Then, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S <b> 20, the CPU 61 drives the ejection head 21 with the head driver 22 to eject ink. At this time, cyan ink is ejected from the nozzle row 211 (C). Here, how the cyan ink is ejected from the nozzle row 211 (C) in step S20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13A, an absorber 84 that absorbs ink is provided on the bottom surface of the groove-side end 80D. The ink that has not been absorbed by the absorbent 84 is piled up on the absorbent 84. From this state, in step S20, as shown in FIG. 13B, cyan ink is ejected from the nozzle row 211 (C) toward the stacked ink. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, cyan ink is ejected from the nozzle row 211 (C), and the piled ink is destroyed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent ink stacked in a pile on the absorbent material 84 from contacting the paper S and soiling the paper S. After the processing of step S20 is completed, or when the CPU 61 determines in step S18 that the printing method is not “marginless printing”, the printing processing ends.

  Next, the reason why the printing process ends without executing steps S19 and S20 when it is determined in step S18 that the printing method is not “marginless printing”. When the printing method is not “marginless printing”, all of the ink ejected from the ejection head 21 lands on the paper S. Therefore, since ink does not accumulate on the absorber 84 provided on the bottom surface of the groove 80, there is no need to bother ejecting ink in order to destroy the piled ink.

  In step S20, the reason why the ink ejected from the ejection head 21 in order to break down the stacked ink is cyan ink is that the cyan ink is stacked due to, for example, a large amount of moisture. This is because it is easy to destroy the ink. Therefore, if there is another ink that can easily break up the piled ink, other ink may be ejected from the ejection head 21 instead of the cyan ink.

  Next, the second printing process will be described with reference to FIG. The processes of steps S31 to S36 and steps S38 to S40 of the second print process shown in FIG. 14 are the same as steps S11 to S16 and steps S18 to S18 of the first print process shown in FIG. This is the same as the processing in step S20. In step S <b> 37 shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 61 determines whether or not all of the print jobs have been printed on the paper S. If the CPU 61 determines in step S37 that all the print jobs have not been printed on the paper S, the process returns to step S32. In step S32, a new sheet S is fed again, and the subsequent processing is repeated. If the CPU 61 determines in step S37 that all the print jobs have been printed on the paper S, the process proceeds to step S38. Note that the print job referred to here is, for example, image data to be printed.

  If it is determined in step S17 of the first printing process shown in FIG. 11 that a predetermined number of printing sheets have been printed, or in step S37 of the second printing process shown in FIG. If it is determined that printing has been performed on the paper S, the process proceeds to the next process. If the printing method is “marginless printing”, the CPU 61 moves the carriage 41 to a position where the ejection head 21 faces the end on the groove side. The cyan ink was ejected from the ejection head 21 to destroy the piled ink.

  Therefore, every time a predetermined number of preset sheets are printed, the CPU 61 discharges cyan ink from the discharge head 21 and destroys the accumulated ink. Therefore, before the stacked ink contacts the paper S, the stacked ink can be prevented from being destroyed by the cyan ink discharged from the discharge head 21 and the paper S becoming dirty.

  Further, after all of the print jobs are printed on the paper S, the CPU 61 discharges cyan ink from the discharge head 21 and breaks up the piled ink. Therefore, when the paper S on which the next print job is printed is discharged, the paper S can be prevented from coming into contact with the piled ink and becoming dirty.

  Next, the reason why the process of destroying the piled ink by discharging cyan ink from the discharge head 21 after the paper S is discharged will be described. If the CPU 61 discharges cyan ink from the discharge head 21 and breaks up the stacked ink in a state where the sheets S are on the platen 14, This is because there is a possibility that cyan ink ejected to break down the formed ink will adhere to the side edge of the paper S. In particular, in the present embodiment, black ink is ejected onto the paper S and monochrome printing is performed. Therefore, if cyan ink adheres to the side edge of the paper S on which the black ink is ejected, the attached cyan The ink will be very noticeable.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B, an example in which an ejection head having a nozzle array arrangement different from those in FIGS. 12A and 12B will be described. FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which ink is ejected from a vertically arranged ejection head and printing is performed on a medium. FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the vertically arranged ejection heads face the groove side end.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15A, a nozzle row 211 (K) that discharges black ink (K) is disposed on the lower surface portion of the discharge head 21, and the nozzles constituting the nozzle row intersect the movement direction of the discharge head 21. It is provided on the left side of the ejection head 21 over the length of the ejection head 21 so as to be aligned in the direction. Then, on the right side of the nozzle row 211 (K), an upper portion of the nozzle row 211 (K) is arranged so that the nozzle row 211 (C) that discharges cyan ink (C) is parallel to the nozzle row 211 (K). To the nozzle row 211 (K) over a length of about 1/3. Below the nozzle row 211 (C), the length of the nozzle row 211 (K) is such that the nozzle row 211 (M) that discharges magenta ink (M) is parallel to the nozzle row 211 (K). It is provided over a length of approximately 1/3. Below the nozzle row 211 (M), the length of the nozzle row 211 (K) is such that the nozzle row 211 (Y) that discharges yellow ink (Y) is parallel to the nozzle row 211 (K). It is provided over a length of approximately 1/3.

  Then, in step S13 of the first printing process shown in FIG. 11 and step S33 of the second printing process shown in FIG. 14, a portion parallel to the nozzle row 211 (C) of the nozzle row 211 (K). Black ink is ejected from these nozzles and printed on the paper S in black and white only. Then, in step S19 of the first printing process shown in FIG. 11 or step S39 of the second printing process shown in FIG. 14, the state in which the ejection head 21 faces the groove side end 80D is shown in FIG. As shown in In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the carriage 41 is moved to a position where the nozzle row 211 (C) faces the groove side end 80D. Then, the process proceeds to step S20 of the first printing process shown in FIG. 11 or step S40 of the second printing process shown in FIG.

  In step S20 of the first printing process shown in FIG. 11 or step S40 of the second printing process shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 61 drives the ejection head 21 by the head driver 22 to eject ink. . At this time, the nozzle row 211 (from the upper part of the nozzle row 211 (K) to the length of about 1/3 of the length of the nozzle row 211 (K) so as to be parallel to the nozzle row 211 (K). C) discharges cyan ink.

  Further, assuming that not only cyan ink but also magenta ink is an ink that is easily destroyed, step S13 of the first printing process shown in FIG. 11 and the second printing shown in FIG. In step S33 of the process, the CPU 61 discharges black ink from the nozzle row 211 (C) of the nozzle row 211 (K) and the nozzles in a portion parallel to the nozzle row 211 (M). It is also possible to print in monochrome. In this case, in step S20 of the first printing process shown in FIG. 11 or step S40 of the second printing process shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 61 drives the ejection head 21 by the head driver 22 to thereby generate the nozzles. Cyan ink is ejected from the row 211 (C) and the nozzle row 211 (M).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, after printing on the paper S with ink ejected from a predetermined nozzle group among a plurality of nozzle groups, ink is ejected from a nozzle group different from the predetermined nozzle group. And destroyed the pile of ink. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a special nozzle to break down the piled ink, and the pile of ink that has come off the medium can be suppressed only by the existing mechanism.

  Of course, when there is no ink that easily breaks up the stacked ink in the color ink and the clear ink, the ejection head is provided with a nozzle for discharging a solvent or the like for breaking up the stacked ink. May be.

  In the present embodiment, after the paper S is discharged, cyan ink is ejected from the ejection head 21, and the ink piled up on the groove side end portion 80D (80C) is crushed. However, after the paper S is discharged, cyan ink is ejected from the ejection head 21, and the upstream groove 80A linearly provided at the upstream side in the paper conveyance direction in which the paper S is conveyed, and the paper conveyance It is also possible to break down the ink piled up in the downstream groove 80B provided on the straight line in the downstream portion in the direction.

  In this case, the carriage 41 is moved from the state in which the ejection head 21 faces the left end (right end) of the upstream groove 80A and the downstream groove 80B, to the right end (left end) of the upstream groove 80A and the downstream groove 80B. Ink is easily discharged from the nozzles facing the upstream-side groove 80A and the downstream-side groove 80B while being moved to a state of facing the ink.

=== Configuration of Printing System etc. ===
Next, an example of a printing system according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the printing system. The printing system 1000 includes a computer main body 1102, a display device 1104, a printer 1106, an input device 1108, and a reading device 1110.
In this embodiment, the computer main body 1102 is housed in a mini-tower type housing, but is not limited thereto. The display device 1104 is generally a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a plasma display, a liquid crystal display device, or the like, but is not limited thereto. As the printer 1106, the printer described above is used. In this embodiment, the input device 1108 is a keyboard 1108A and a mouse 1108B, but is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the reading device 1110 uses a flexible disk drive device 1110A and a CD-ROM drive device 1110B. However, the reading device 1110 is not limited to this. For example, an MO (Magnet Optical) disk drive device or a DVD (Digital Versatile) Disk) etc. may be used.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing system shown in FIG. An internal memory 1202 such as a RAM and an external memory such as a hard disk drive unit 1204 are further provided in a housing in which the computer main body 1102 is housed.

  The computer program for controlling the operation of the printer described above can be downloaded to a computer 1000 or the like connected to the printer 1106 via a communication line such as the Internet, and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. It can also be distributed. As the recording medium, for example, various recording media such as a flexible disk FD, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk MO, a hard disk, and a memory can be used. Note that information stored in such a storage medium can be read by various reading devices 1110.

  In the above description, the printer 1106 is connected to the computer main body 1102, the display device 1104, the input device 1108, and the reading device 1110 to configure the computer system. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the computer system may include a computer main body 1102 and a printer 1106, and the computer system may not include any of the display device 1104, the input device 1108, and the reading device 1110. Further, for example, the printer 1106 may have a part of each function or mechanism of the computer main body 1102, the display device 1104, the input device 1108, and the reading device 1110. As an example, the printer 1106 includes an image processing unit that performs image processing, a display unit that performs various displays, a recording medium attachment / detachment unit for attaching / detaching a recording medium that records image data captured by a digital camera or the like. It is good also as a structure to have.

  In the above-described embodiment, a computer program for controlling the printer may be taken into the memory 65 that is a storage medium of the control unit 60. Then, the control unit 60 may achieve the operation of the printer in the above-described embodiment by executing a computer program stored in the memory 65.

  The printing system realized in this way is a system superior to the conventional system as a whole system.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As described above, the printing apparatus such as a printer according to the present invention has been described based on one embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is limited and interpreted. Not meant to be The present invention can be changed or improved without departing from the gist thereof, and needless to say, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. In particular, even the embodiments described below are included in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, part or all of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware.
Further, it is not necessary to provide the absorber 84 that absorbs the ink discarded in the groove 80 where the liquid that does not land on the medium is deposited.
In addition to the paper S, the printed material may be a cloth or a film.

<About liquid>
The liquid of the present invention is not limited to the inks described above, such as dye inks and pigment inks. For example, metal materials, organic materials (particularly polymer materials), magnetic materials, conductive materials, wiring materials, synthetic materials, and the like. A film material, electronic ink, processing liquid, gene solution, or the like (including water) can also be applied. Moreover, about the component of a liquid, what comprises liquid, such as a solvent other than water, is included as a solvent.

<About media>
As for the media, the above-mentioned paper includes plain paper, matte paper, cut paper, glossy paper, roll paper, paper, photographic paper, roll type photographic paper, etc. In addition to these, films such as OHP film and glossy film It may be a material, a cloth material, a metal plate material, or the like. That is, any medium can be used as long as it can be a printing target.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an inkjet printer. It is explanatory drawing of the whole structure of an inkjet printer. It is a figure which shows the carriage etc. of an inkjet printer. It is a figure which shows the conveyance mechanism of an inkjet printer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of the nozzle in a discharge head. It is a block diagram of a drive signal generation part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the process by the side of a host. It is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between the printing area | region and paper at the time of normal printing. It is explanatory drawing explaining the relationship between the printing area | region at the time of borderless printing, and a paper. It is sectional drawing which shows a groove part. It is a first flowchart for explaining the printing process. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which ink is ejected from ejection heads in a horizontal array and printing is performed on a medium. FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which the ejection heads in the horizontal arrangement face the groove side end. FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which ink is accumulated in the ink accumulation unit. FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the crest of ink accumulated in the ink accumulation unit is destroyed by the ink ejected from the ejection head. FIG. 10 is a second flowchart illustrating a printing process. FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which ink is ejected from a vertically arranged ejection head and printing is performed on a medium. FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the vertically arranged ejection heads face the groove side end. It is an external appearance block diagram of a computer system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a computer system.

Explanation of symbols

1 Inkjet printer, 2 operation panel, 3 paper discharge unit, 4 paper supply unit,
5 operation buttons, 6 indicator lamps, 7 paper discharge tray, 8 paper feed tray,
10 paper transport unit, 13 paper feed roller, 14 platen,
15 Paper transport motor (PF motor),
16 Paper transport motor driver (PF motor driver),
17A transport roller, 17B paper discharge roller,
18A / 18B free roller, 20 ink discharge unit,
21 discharge head, 211 nozzle row, 22 head driver,
220 drive signal generator, 221 original drive signal generator,
222 mask circuit, 223 drive signal correction unit,
30 Cleaning unit,
31 pump device, 32 pump motor, 33 pump motor driver,
35 capping device, 40 carriage unit, 41 carriage,
42 Carriage motor (CR motor),
43 Carriage motor driver (CR motor driver),
44 pulley, 45 timing belt, 46 guide rail,
50 measuring instrument group, 51 linear encoder, 511 linear scale,
52 Rotary encoder, 53 Paper detection sensor, 54 Paper width sensor,
60 control unit, 61 CPU, 62 timer,
63 interface part, 64 ASIC, 65 memory,
66 DC controller, 67 Host computer,
80 ink recovery unit, 84 absorbent material,
90 computer body, 91 video driver, 93 display device,
95 application programs, 96 printer drivers,
97 resolution conversion module, 98 color conversion module,
99 halftone module, 100 rasterizer,
101 user interface display module,
102 UI printer interface module S Medium (paper), P (printing area)

Claims (6)

A plurality of nozzles that discharge cyan ink toward the medium are arranged in the transport direction of the medium, a magenta nozzle array that includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge magenta ink toward the medium in the transport direction, and a medium. A plurality of nozzles that discharge yellow ink toward the medium and a black nozzle array that includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge black ink toward the medium and intersects the conveyance direction. The head is movable in the moving direction, and the black nozzle row is arranged so that the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, the yellow nozzle row, which are arranged side by side in the carrying direction, are arranged in the moving direction. With a head,
An accumulation part for accumulating ink that does not land on the medium; an upstream groove provided along the movement direction at a position facing the upstream nozzle in the transport direction in the black nozzle row; A downstream groove provided along the moving direction at a position facing the downstream nozzle in the transport direction in the black nozzle row, and a side end that is an end of the medium in the moving direction In a printing apparatus comprising a stacking portion including a side end groove portion provided along the transport direction between the upstream groove portion and the downstream groove portion at a position of
When performing monochrome borderless printing,
Of the plurality of nozzles of the black nozzle row, monochrome is applied to the medium by black ink ejected from nozzles in a portion aligned with any one of the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, and the yellow nozzle row. Perform borderless printing and
Among the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, and the yellow nozzle row when the medium is not present on a support member for supporting the medium after performing monochrome borderless printing on the medium, A printing apparatus that discharges ink to the side end groove portion from a nozzle row that is aligned with a nozzle that discharges the black ink during monochrome borderless printing. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A printing apparatus that discharges ink to the side end groove portion from a nozzle row that is aligned with a nozzle that discharges the black ink during the monochrome borderless printing each time a predetermined number of the media are printed. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
After the image to be printed is printed on the medium, ink is ejected to the side end groove portion from a nozzle row that is aligned with the nozzle that ejects the black ink during the monochrome borderless printing. . The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
When not performing borderless printing on the medium, after printing on the medium, not to eject the liquid on the side edge groove from the nozzle rows arranged with nozzles ejecting the black ink when no edge printing the monochrome Characteristic printing device. A plurality of nozzles that discharge cyan ink toward the medium are arranged in the transport direction of the medium, a magenta nozzle array that includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge magenta ink toward the medium in the transport direction, and a medium. A plurality of nozzles that discharge yellow ink toward the medium and a black nozzle array that includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge black ink toward the medium and intersects the conveyance direction. The head is movable in the moving direction, and the black nozzle row is arranged so that the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, the yellow nozzle row, which are arranged side by side in the carrying direction, are arranged in the moving direction. With a head,
An accumulation part for accumulating ink that does not land on the medium; an upstream groove provided along the movement direction at a position facing the upstream nozzle in the transport direction in the black nozzle row; A downstream groove provided along the moving direction at a position facing the downstream nozzle in the transport direction in the black nozzle row, and a side end that is an end of the medium in the moving direction A printing method using a printing apparatus including a stacking portion including a side end groove portion provided along the transport direction between the upstream groove portion and the downstream groove portion at the position ,
When performing monochrome borderless printing,
Of the plurality of nozzles of the black nozzle row, monochrome is applied to the medium by black ink ejected from nozzles in a portion aligned with any one of the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, and the yellow nozzle row. Perform borderless printing and
Among the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, and the yellow nozzle row when the medium is not present on a support member for supporting the medium after performing monochrome borderless printing on the medium, A printing method, wherein ink is ejected to the side end groove portion from a nozzle row aligned with the nozzle that ejects the black ink during monochrome borderless printing. A printing system comprising a computer main body and a printing device connectable to the computer main body,
The printing apparatus includes:
A plurality of nozzles that discharge cyan ink toward the medium are arranged in the transport direction of the medium, a magenta nozzle array that includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge magenta ink toward the medium in the transport direction, and a medium. A plurality of nozzles that discharge yellow ink toward the medium and a black nozzle array that includes a plurality of nozzles that discharge black ink toward the medium and intersects the conveyance direction. The head is movable in the moving direction, and the black nozzle row is arranged so that the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, the yellow nozzle row, which are arranged side by side in the carrying direction, are arranged in the moving direction. With a head,
A deposition unit for depositing the ink does not land on the medium, and the black nozzle the upstream slot portion in the nozzle and a position facing the upstream side is provided along the movement direction of the conveying direction of the column A downstream groove provided along the moving direction at a position facing the downstream nozzle in the transport direction in the black nozzle row, and a side end that is an end of the medium in the moving direction And a deposition portion including a side end groove portion provided along the transport direction between the upstream groove portion and the downstream groove portion at a position of
When performing monochrome borderless printing,
Of the plurality of nozzles of the black nozzle row, monochrome is applied to the medium by black ink ejected from nozzles in a portion aligned with any one of the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, and the yellow nozzle row. Perform borderless printing and
Among the cyan nozzle row, the magenta nozzle row, and the yellow nozzle row when the medium is not present on a support member for supporting the medium after performing monochrome borderless printing on the medium, A printing system that discharges ink to the side end groove portion from a nozzle row aligned with the nozzle that discharged the black ink during monochrome borderless printing.

Images