Printer, supplied power controller and computer program

Abstract

A printer includes: an inkjet print head; an image processing part that processes image data and supplies the data to the print head; a main power supply that is connected to a commercial power source and supplies first power to the print head; a rechargeable sub-power supply that supplies second power for supporting the first power to the print head when power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power during execution of printing; and a switch part that is located on a power supply line and electrically connects the sub-power supply to the power supply line when the power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a printing system example.

FIG. 2 shows internal structure examples of a sub-power supply and a print head.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of an image processing part.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explanation of supply and stop of the sub-power supply using a logic circuit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explanation of supply control and stop control of the sub-power supply using a system control part (a switch control part).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explanation of printing start timing control using the system control part (a printing start timing control function).

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explanation of a relationship between the output voltage and stored energy when the sub-power supply is configured by a high-capacity capacitor.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explanation of a method of detecting the output voltage when the sub-power supply is configured by the high-capacity capacitor.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explanation of a relationship between the output voltage and stored energy when the sub-power supply is configured by a secondary cell.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explanation of a method of detecting the output voltage when the sub-power supply is configured by the secondary cell.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explanation of printing start timing control using the system control part (a printing standby time control function).

FIG. 12 is a chart showing a relationship between the capacity ratio of the main power supply and the sub-power supply and the charging time of the sub-power supply.

Claims

1. A printer comprising: an inkjet print head;an image processing part that processes image data and supplies the data to the print head;a main power supply that is connected to a commercial power source and supplies first power to the print head;a rechargeable sub-power supply that supplies second power for supporting the first power to the print head when power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power during execution of printing; anda switch part that is located on a power supply line and electrically connects the sub-power supply to the power supply line when the power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power.

2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the switch part is a diode circuit connected in a forward direction of the power supply line and power supply to the sub-power supply is started when a potential difference equal to or more than a forward voltage drop is generated between ends of the diode circuit.

3. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a switch control part that sequentially calculates power necessary for formation of a print image corresponding to the image data and closing-controls the switch part at the time of printing of a part where the calculated power exceeds the first power.

4. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a switch control part that closing-controls the switch part only in a printing area of solid printing or a printing area that needs equal power to solid printing.

5. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising a switch control part that closing-controls the switch part when power shortage occurs during continuous printing.

6. A supplied power controller in a printer provided with an inkjet print head, an image processing part that processes image data and supplies the data to the print head, a main power supply that is connected to a commercial power source and supplies first power to the print head, a rechargeable sub-power supply that supplies second power for supporting the first power to the print head when power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power during execution of printing, and a switch part that is located on a power supply line and electrically connects the sub-power supply to the power supply line when the power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power, the supplied power controller comprising a switch control part that sequentially calculates power necessary for formation of a print image corresponding to print data and closing-controls the switch part to applies the second power to the supply line at the time of printing of only a part where the calculated power exceeds the first power.

7. A computer program controlling supplied power in a printer provided with an inkjet print head, an image processing part that processes image data and supplies the data to the print head, a main power supply that is connected to a commercial power source and supplies first power to the print head, a rechargeable sub-power supply that supplies second power for supporting the first power to the print head when power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power during execution of printing, and a switch part that is located on a power supply line and electrically connects the sub-power supply to the power supply line when the power necessary for driving of the print head exceeds the first power, the program allowing a computer to execute processing of:sequentially calculating power necessary for formation of a print image corresponding to print data; andclosing-controlling the switch part to apply the second power to the supply line at the time of printing of a part where the calculated power exceeds the first power.