Ink jet recording apparatus and method of controlling the same based on cartridge absence time period
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsNobutoshi Otsuka, Zenta Kosaka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an ink jet recording apparatus and method recording is performed by using a replaceable ink cartridge mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus, and includes a recording head for delivering ink therefrom. Cleaning of the recording head is carried out by sucking ink from the recording head. A cartridge absence time period is detected over which continues a cartridge-unmounted state of the ink jet recording apparatus in which the ink cartridge is removed from the ink jet recording apparatus. An amount of ink to be sucked for the cleaning is set, based on the cartridge absence time period, when the ink cartridge is mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus.
Claims6
An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by using a replaceable ink cartridge mounted therein, comprising:
- a recording head for delivering ink therefrom;
- cleaning means for carrying out cleaning of said recording head by sucking ink therefrom;
- cartridge absence time-detecting means for detecting a cartridge absence time period over which continues a cartridge-unmounted state of said ink jet recording apparatus in which said ink cartridge is removed from said ink jet recording apparatus;
- and
- suction amount-setting means for setting an amount of ink to be sucked for said cleaning, based on said cartridge absence time period, when said ink cartridge is mounted in said ink jet recording apparatus, said suction amount-setting means including storage means for storing predetermined values of said amount of ink to be sucked corresponding respectively to predetermined time periods to be detected as said cartridge absence time period.
A method of controlling an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by using a replaceable ink cartridge mounted therein, said ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head connected to said ink cartridge for delivering ink supplied from said ink cartridge,
- the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a cartridge absence time period over which continues a cartridge-unmounted state of said ink jet recording apparatus in which said ink cartridge is removed from said ink jet recording apparatus;
- and
- setting an amount of ink to be sucked for cleaning of said recording head, based on said cartridge absence time period, when said ink cartridge is mounted in said ink jet recording apparatus, the step of setting an amount including the step of storing predetermined values of said amount of ink to be sucked corresponding respectively to predetermined time periods to be detected as said cartridge absence time period, and
- carrying out said cleaning of said recording head by sucking ink therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.