Printing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

A printing apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect that a predetermined user operation for unlocking an opening and closing portion is made on a predetermined screen displayed on a display portion in a state where the opening and closing portion is locked, an unlock unit configured to, in a case where the predetermined user operation is detected to be made, unlock the opening and closing portion, and an execution unit configured to, in a case where the predetermined user operation is detected to be made, execute predetermined preparation processing on a printing portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

A printing apparatus that includes an openable portion, such as a door, forming a part of a casing enclosing a print unit (portion), wherein the openable unit is able to be locked and unlocked is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-44128 discusses an apparatus that locks an opening and closing unit while an image forming operation is performed, and unlocks the opening and closing unit after the end of the image forming operation.

In a case where the opening and closing unit is to be unlocked, a predetermined preparation operation can be performed on the print unit in preparation for situations where a user opens the opening and closing unit to make user operations on the print unit. However, if the apparatus discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-44128 is configured to perform the preparation operation in response to the unlocking of the opening and closing unit, a maintenance operation is performed each time an image forming operation ends. The user, however, does not necessarily open the opening and closing unit each time an image forming operation ends. In other words, the preparation operation is performed even when the user does not open the opening and closing unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to suppressing execution of the preparation operation even when the user does not open the opening and closing unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus includes a printing unit configured to perform printing by a printing portion, a lock unit configured to lock an openable portion formed as part of a casing enclosing the printing portion, a display unit configured to display, on a display portion, a predetermined screen based on an occurrence of an error in at least part of the printing portion, a detection unit configured to detect that a predetermined user operation for unlocking the openable portion is performed on the predetermined screen in a state where the openable portion is locked, an execution unit configured, in a case where the predetermined user operation has been detected, to execute predetermined preparation processing on the printing portion and, an unlock unit configured, in a case where the predetermined user operation performed on the predetermined screen has been detected, to unlock the openable portion after the predetermined preparation processing is executed, wherein, even when a user operation for opening the openable portion is executed on the openable portion in the state where the openable portion is locked, the openable portion is not opened and the predetermined preparation processing is not executed.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. Each of the embodiments of the present invention described below can be implemented solely or as a combination of a plurality of the embodiments. Also, features from different embodiments can be combined where necessary or where the combination of elements or features from individual embodiments in a single embodiment is beneficial.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A printing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment will be described. In the present exemplary embodiment, an apparatus that performs inkjet printing is described as an example of the printing apparatus. However, this is not restrictive. The present exemplary embodiment is also applicable to apparatuses that perform processing by printing methods other than inkjet printing (such as an electrophotographic method and a thermal sublimation method).

FIG. 1is an internal configuration diagram of an inkjet printing apparatus1(hereinafter, printing apparatus1) used in the present exemplary embodiment. An inkjet printing apparatus refers to an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, such as paper, by discharging ink serving as a recording agent. In the diagram, an x-direction represents a horizontal direction, a y-direction (perpendicular direction) a direction in which discharge ports are arranged on a print head8to be described below, and a z-direction a vertical direction.

The printing apparatus1is a multifunction peripheral including a print unit2and a scanner unit3. The printing apparatus1can perform various types of processing related to a print operation and a read operation by using the print unit2and the scanner unit3singly or cooperatively. The scanner unit3includes an auto document feeder (ADF) and a flatbed scanner (FBS). The scanner unit3can read documents automatically fed by the ADF, and can read (scan) a document placed on a document table of the FBS by the user. While the present exemplary embodiment deals with the multifunction peripheral including the print unit2and the scanner unit3, the printing apparatus1may be configured to not include the scanner unit3.FIG. 1illustrates the printing apparatus1in a standby state in which neither the print operation nor the read operation is performed.

The print unit2includes a first cassette5A and a second cassette5B for storing recording media (cut sheets) S. The first and second cassettes5A and5B are detachably installed in a bottom portion of a casing4vertically below. Relatively small recording media up to A4 size are stacked flat and stored in the first cassette5A. Relatively large recording media up to A3 size are stacked flat and stored in the second cassette5B. A first feed unit6A for separating and feeding the stored recording media one by one is provided near the first cassette5A. Similarly, a second feed unit6B is provided near the second cassette5B. When a print operation is performed, recording media S are selectively fed from either one of the cassettes5A and5B.

Conveyance rollers7, a discharge roller12, pinch rollers7a, spurs7b, a guide18, an inner guide19, and a flapper11are conveyance mechanisms for guiding a recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The conveyance rollers7are driving rollers that are arranged upstream of a print head8and driven by a not-illustrated conveyance motor. The pinch rollers7aare driven rollers that nip the recording medium S and rotate with the conveyance rollers7. The discharge roller12is a driving roller that is arranged downstream of the print head8and driven by a not-illustrated conveyance motor. The spurs7bpinch and convey the recording medium S with the discharge roller12.

The guide18is provided on a conveyance path of the recording medium S and guides the recording medium S in a predetermined direction. The inner guide19is a member extending in the y-direction. The inner guide19has a curved side surface and guides the recording medium S along the side surface. The flapper11is a member for switching a direction in which the recording medium S is conveyed during a two-sided print operation. A discharge tray13is a tray for stacking and holding recording media S discharged by the discharge roller12after completion of a print operation.

The print head8according to the present exemplary embodiment is a full-line color inkjet print head, and has a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink based on print data. The discharge ports are arranged as many as to cover the width of the recording medium S in the y-direction inFIG. 1. When the print head8is at a standby position, a discharge port surface8aof the print head8is capped by a cap unit10as illustrated inFIG. 1. When performing a print operation, the print head8is changed in orientation by a print controller202to be described below so that the discharge port surface8afaces a platen9. The platen9includes a flat plate extending in the y-direction, and supports from behind the recording medium S on which the print head8performs a print operation. The movement of the print head8from the standby position to the printing position will be described in detail below.

An ink tank unit (holding unit)14stores four color inks to be supplied to the print head8. An ink supply unit15is provided in the flow channels from the ink tank unit14to the print head8, and adjusts the pressures and flow rates of the inks in the print head8to appropriate ranges. The present exemplary embodiment employs an ink supply system of a circulation type. The ink supply unit15adjusts the pressures of the inks supplied to the print head8and the flow rates of the inks collected from the print head8to appropriate ranges.

A maintenance unit16includes the cap unit10and a wiping unit17, and activates these units at predetermined timing to perform a maintenance operation on the print head8. The maintenance operation will be described in detail below.

The maintenance unit16includes a user-replaceable maintenance cartridge (MTC) (collection unit)20. The MTC20collects and stores waste ink unused for printing out of the ink stored in the ink tanks.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration in the printing apparatus1. The control configuration includes a print engine unit200that mainly controls the print unit2, a scanner engine unit300that controls the scanner unit3, and a controller unit100that controls the entire printing apparatus1. A print controller202controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit200based on instructions from a main controller101of the controller unit100. Various mechanisms of the scanner engine unit300are controlled by the main controller101of the controller unit100. Details of the control configuration are described below.

In the controller unit100, the main controller101including a central processing unit (CPU) controls the entire printing apparatus1in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a read-only memory (ROM)107by using a random access memory (RAM)106as a work area. For example, if a print job is input from a host apparatus400via a host interface (I/F)102or a wireless I/F103, an image processing unit108applies predetermined image processing to received image data based on instructions from the main controller101. The main controller101transmits the image data to which the image processing is applied to the print engine unit200via a print engine I/F105.

The printing apparatus1may obtain image data from the host apparatus400via wireless or wired communication. The printing apparatus1may obtain image data from an external storage device (such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory) connected to the printing apparatus1. The communication method used for the wireless or wired communication is not limited in particular. Examples of communication methods usable for the wireless communication include Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi®) and Bluetooth®. Communication methods used for the wired communication may include USB. For example, if a read command is input from the host apparatus400, the main controller101transmits the command to the scanner unit3via a scanner engine I/F109.

An operation panel (display unit)104is a mechanism for the user to make inputs and outputs to/from the printing apparatus1. The user can give instructions for copy and scan operations, set a print mode, and recognize information about the printing apparatus1via the operation panel104.

In the print engine unit200, the print controller202including a CPU controls various mechanisms included in the print unit2in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in a ROM203by using a RAM204as a work area. If various commands or image data is received via a controller I/F201, the print controller202once stores the commands or image data into the RAM204. The print controller202makes an image processing controller205convert the stored image data into print data so that the print head8can use the print data for a print operation. When print data is generated, the print controller202makes the print head8perform a print operation based on the print data via a head I/F206. At this time, the print controller202drives the feed unit6A or6B, the conveyance rollers7, the discharge roller12, and the flapper11illustrated inFIG. 1via a conveyance control unit207to convey a recording medium S. The print head8performs a print operation in conjunction with the conveyance operation of the recording medium S based on instructions from the print controller202, whereby print processing is performed.

A head carriage control unit208changes the orientation and position of the print head8according to operation states of the printing apparatus1, such as a maintenance state and a printing state. An ink supply control unit209controls the ink supply unit15so that the pressures of the inks supplied to the print head8fall within an appropriate range. A maintenance control unit210controls operation of the cap unit10and the wiping unit17in the maintenance unit16when performing a maintenance operation on the print head8.

As for the scanner engine unit300, the main controller101controls hardware resources of the scanner controller302in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in the ROM107by using the RAM106as a work area. Various mechanisms included in the scanner unit3are thereby controlled. For example, the main controller101controls the hardware resources in the scanner controller302via a controller I/F301, whereby a document placed on the ADF by the user is conveyed via a conveyance control unit304. The main controller101then reads the conveyed document by using a sensor305. The scanner controller302stores the read image data into a RAM303. By converting the obtained image data into print data as described above, the print controller202can make the print head8perform a print operation based on the image data read by the scanner controller302.

FIG. 3illustrates an internal configuration diagram of the printing apparatus1when the printing apparatus1is in a printing state. Compared to the standby state illustrated inFIG. 1, the cap unit10is separated from the discharge port surface8aof the print head8, and the discharge port surface8ais opposed to the platen9. In the present exemplary embodiment, the plane of the platen9is tilted approximately 45° from the horizontal direction. The discharge port surface8aof the print head8at the printing position is also tilted approximately 45° from the horizontal direction so that the discharge port surface8ais maintained at a constant distance from the platen9.

When moving the print head8from the standby position illustrated inFIG. 1to the printing position illustrated inFIG. 3, the print controller202lowers the cap unit10to a retracted position illustrated inFIG. 3by using the maintenance control unit210. The discharge port surface8aof the print head8is thereby separated from a cap member included in the cap unit10. The print controller202then rotates the print head8by 45° while adjusting the vertical height of the print head8by using the head carriage control unit208, so that the discharge port surface8afaces the platen9. When the print operation is completed and the print head8moves from the printing position to the standby position, the print controller202performs the steps reverse to the foregoing.

Next, a path by which the print unit2conveys a recording medium S will be described. When a print command (print job) is input, the print controller202initially moves the print head8to the printing position illustrated inFIG. 3by using the maintenance control unit210and the head carriage control unit208. The print controller202then drives either one of the first and second feed units6A and6B to feed a recording medium S based on the print command by using the conveyance control unit207.

FIGS. 4A to 4Care diagrams illustrating a conveyance path in feeding an A4-size recording medium S stored in the first cassette5A. The uppermost one of the recording media S stacked in the first cassette5A is separated from the second and subsequent recording media S by the first feed unit6A, and conveyed toward a printing area P between the platen9and the print head8while being nipped by the conveyance rollers7and the pinch rollers7a.FIG. 4Aillustrates a conveyance state immediately before the leading edge of the recording medium S reaches the printing area P. The traveling direction of the recording medium S is changed from the horizontal direction (x-direction) to a direction approximately 45° tilted from the horizontal direction while being fed by the first feed unit6A to reach the printing area P.

In the printing area P, ink is discharged from the plurality of discharge ports provided in the print head8to the recording medium S. The area of the recording medium S in which the ink is to be applied to is supported by the platen9from behind, and the distance between the discharge port surface8aand the recording medium S is maintained constant. The ink-applied recording medium S is guided by the conveyance rollers7and the spurs7bwhile the leading edge passes the left side of the flapper11tilted to the right, and conveyed vertically upward in the printing apparatus1along the guide18.FIG. 4Billustrates a state where the leading edge of the recording medium S passes the printing area P and is conveyed vertically upward. The travelling direction of the recording medium S is changed to vertically upward by the conveyance rollers7and the spurs7bat the position of the printing area P approximately 45° tilted from the horizontal direction.

After being conveyed vertically upward, the recording medium S is discharged to the discharge tray13by the discharge roller12and the spurs7b.FIG. 4Cillustrates a state where the leading edge of the recording medium S passes the discharge roller12and is discharged to the discharge tray13. The discharged recording medium S is held on the discharge tray13with the surface on which an image is printed by the print head8down.

Next, the maintenance operation on the print head8will be described. As described inFIG. 1, the maintenance unit16according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the cap unit10and the wiping unit17, and activates these units at predetermined timing to perform the maintenance operation.

FIG. 5is an internal configuration diagram of the printing apparatus1when the printing apparatus1is in a maintenance state. When moving the print head8from the standby position illustrated inFIG. 1to a maintenance position illustrated inFIG. 5, the print controller202moves the print head8obliquely vertically upward and moves the cap unit10vertically downward. The print controller202then moves the wiping unit17from the retracted position to the right inFIG. 5. The print controller202then moves the print head8vertically downward to the maintenance position capable of a maintenance operation.

When moving the print head8from the printing position illustrated inFIG. 3to the maintenance position illustrated inFIG. 5, the print controller202moves the print head8vertically upward while rotating the print head8by 45°. The print controller202then moves the wiping unit17from the retracted position to the right. The print controller202then moves the print head8vertically downward into the maintenance position capable of a maintenance operation by the maintenance unit16.

With the print head8moved to the maintenance position, the cap unit10collects ink discharged by a preliminary discharge into the not-illustrated cap member, and causes a not-illustrated suction pump to suck in the collected ink. The wiping unit17wipes adhering ink off the discharge port surface8a. The maintenance operation is performed by such suction processing and wiping processing.

<Lock Control on Front Door22>

The interior components of the print unit2illustrated inFIGS. 1, 3, and 17are covered by an exterior member (casing4of the printing apparatus1). The exterior member includes a front door22that is rotatable (openable) between an open position at which an opening is uncovered and a closed position at which the opening is covered.FIG. 17is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the printing apparatus1in a state where the front door22is located at the open position. If the front door22is located at the open position, the user can access the interior members of the print unit2, including the color ink tanks loaded in the ink tank unit14, the MTC20, and the print head8, through the opening. In other words, the user can do maintenance, such as replacement, repair, and cleaning of the interior members of the print unit2, through the opening.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the front door22is locked in an unopenable state (not movable from the closed position) until an unlock button to be described below is operated by the user. To open the front door22, the user needs to operate the unlock button to be described below to unlock the front door22. If the front door22is opened and returned to the closed position, the front door22enters the locked state again.

A program for implementing one or more functions of the printing apparatus1or the host apparatus400according to the present exemplary embodiment may be supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or various storage media. Then, a computer (such as a CPU and a microprocessing unit (MPU)) of the system or apparatus may read the program and perform the function(s) or cause various mechanisms to perform the function(s). The program may be executed by one computer or by a plurality of computers in a cooperative manner. All the foregoing processing does not need to be implemented by software, and part or all of the processing may be implemented by hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). All the processing does not necessarily be performed by a single CPU. A plurality of CPUs may perform the processing with appropriate cooperation. Some of the processing may be performed by one CPU while the rest of the processing is performed by a plurality of CPUs in a cooperative manner.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, if the front door22is located at the open position, the user can operate the interior components of the print unit2and do maintenance, such as replacement, repair, and cleaning of the interior components, by, for example, putting his/her hands in the opening. Such interior components are desirably prevented from user operations while the interior components are working, like during printing and during maintenance. The front door22is thus desirably locked to be not opened at least while the interior components are working.

Before the interior components of the print unit2are replaced, preparation processing to be described below is desirably executed. However, if, for example, the front door22is not configured to be constantly locked, the interior components of the print unit2can be replaced without the preparation processing. The front door22is therefore desirably locked until a preparation operation is performed. Suppose, for example, that the front door22is configured to be automatically unlocked and execute the preparation processing at timing when the maintenance processing on the interior components needs to be performed. With such a configuration, the preparation processing can be executed even when the user does not perform the maintenance processing at that timing. In other words, the preparation processing can be executed needlessly. The preparation processing includes writing processing on a nonvolatile memory. If the nonvolatile memory has a limited number of writes (nonvolatile memory has a writing life), the needless execution of the preparation processing reduces the life of the nonvolatile memory in vain.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the front door22is configured to be locked. The front door22is configured to not be automatically unlocked without a user operation. The front door22is unlocked and becomes openable in response to the printing apparatus1determining that a user operation for opening the front door22is made on the printing apparatus1. In other words, the printing apparatus1is configured so that the printing apparatus1can identify the timing when the user does maintenance of the interior components of the print unit2via the opening by determining that the user operation is made.

While the openable component (opening and closing unit) to be locked and unlocked is described to be the front door22, such a configuration is not restrictive. For example, the openable component to be locked and unlocked may be a tray or a drawer that can be pulled out of the printing apparatus1. In such a case, the state where the component is pulled out of the printing apparatus1corresponds to the state where the component is located at the open position. The state where the component is pushed into the printing apparatus1corresponds to the state where the component is located at the closed position.

FIGS. 6A to 6Dillustrate examples of screens displayed on the operation panel104.FIG. 6Aillustrates an example of a screen for notifying the user of the occurrence of an out-of-ink error that is an error due to running out of ink in the printing apparatus1. The printing apparatus1suspends a print operation or maintenance operation and displays the screen illustrated inFIG. 6Aon the operation panel104in response to the occurrence of an out-of-ink error due to running out of ink in the print operation or maintenance operation. The screen illustrated inFIG. 6Ais an example of a screen for notifying the user of the occurrence of an error due to running out of black ink and cyan ink. If the user presses the “next” button on the screen ofFIG. 6A, the printing apparatus1displays an unlock screen illustrated inFIG. 6Bon the operation panel104.

The unlock screen is a screen for accepting a user operation (unlock operation) for opening the front door22. The unlock screen is displayed here because the user needs to open the front door22(move the front door22to the open position) to replace an ink tank or ink tanks.

If an “unlock” button on the screen ofFIG. 6Bis pressed by the user, the printing apparatus1initially performs ink replacement preparation processing (ink replacement preparation operation) before the front door22is unlocked and before the ink tanks are replaced. The ink replacement preparation processing includes processing for writing information related to the ink tanks, such as information about the remaining ink levels, to nonvolatile memory areas of the ink tanks. The ink replacement preparation processing also includes processing for closing supply valves (not illustrated) for supplying ink from the ink tanks so that air will not get into ink supply channels when the ink tanks are detached.

When the front door22is opened, not only the ink tanks but also the MTC can be replaced. If the ink replacement preparation processing is executed, MTC replacement preparation processing is therefore also executed. For example, the MTC replacement preparation processing includes writing information related to the MTC, such as information about the amount of ink included in the MTC, into a nonvolatile memory area. If the “unlock” button on the screen ofFIG. 6Bis pressed, head replacement preparation processing to be described below is not executed. The reason is that if the “unlock” button on the screen ofFIG. 6Bis pressed, the front door22is opened but a head cover covering the print head8is not opened. The print head8does not move to a head replacement position for replacing the print head8, either.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the ink replacement preparation processing and the MTC replacement preparation processing are executed in response to the pressing of the “unlock” button on the screen ofFIG. 6B. The front door22is unlocked after both the preparation operations end. The screen ofFIG. 6Btherefore includes an area for making a notification that the front door22will not be unlocked for a time needed for both the preparation operations. The timing and condition to start the preparation operations are not limited to the foregoing. For example, the preparation operations may be started in response to a “next” button on the screen ofFIG. 6Abeing pressed by the user or in response to the occurrence of an out-of-ink error. SinceFIG. 6Billustrates an unlock screen for replacing the ink tanks, an area indicating the replacement of the ink tanks is included in the upper part of the screen.

FIG. 6Cillustrates an example of a screen for inquiring the user whether to perform processing for replacing the print head8. The user can cause the screen ofFIG. 6Cto be displayed on the operation panel104by operating a setting screen of the printing apparatus1displayed on the operation panel104at arbitrary timing when the user wants to replace the print head8. If the “no” button is pressed, the printing apparatus1restores the screen displayed on the operation panel104to the setting screen having been displayed before the display of the screen ofFIG. 6Cwithout executing the head replacement preparation processing or displaying an unlock screen illustrated inFIG. 6D. On the other hand, if the “yes” button is pressed, the printing apparatus1displays the unlock screen illustrated inFIG. 6Don the operation panel104.

If the “unlock” button on the screen ofFIG. 6Dis pressed by the user, the printing apparatus1performs the head replacement preparation processing (head replacement preparation operation) before the front door22is unlocked and before the print head8is replaced. The head replacement preparation processing includes processing for collecting the ink remaining in the print head8into a sub tank and closing the ink valves for supplying ink to the print head8so that ink will not be supplied to the print head8. The head replacement preparation processing also includes processing for writing information about a use history of nozzles arranged in the print head8, a time at which the print head8is powered on, and an error occurring in the print head8into a nonvolatile memory area of the print head8. The head replacement preparation processing also includes processing for opening the head cover that needs to be opened to replace the print head8, and processing for moving the print head8to the head replacement position. In the state where the front door22is open, the ink tanks and the MTC can also be replaced. In a case where the head replacement preparation processing is performed, the ink replacement preparation operation and the MTC replacement preparation operation are therefore also performed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the preparation operations are performed in response to the pressing of the “unlock” button on the screen ofFIG. 6D. The front door22is unlocked after the end of the replacement preparation operations. The screen ofFIG. 6Dtherefore includes an area for making a notification that the front door22will not be unlocked during the time needed for the replacement preparation operations. The timing and condition to start the head replacement preparation processing are not limited to the foregoing. For example, the head replacement preparation processing may be started in response to the “yes” button on the screen ofFIG. 6Cbeing pressed by the user. For example, the head replacement preparation processing may be started in response to a user operation on the screen displayed before the screen ofFIG. 6Cis displayed.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the pressing of the unlock button by the user is needed to open the front door22. Various preparation operations are then performed in response to the user operation related to unlocking being made. With such a configuration, for example, the preparation operations are prevented from being executed although the user does not open the front door22or do maintenance of the interior components of the printing apparatus1.

In the foregoing description, the replacement of the ink tanks is described to be performed when an error related to the ink tanks occurs. However, this is not restrictive. The user may perform the replacement of the ink tanks at arbitrary timing when the user wants to replace the ink tanks, as with the foregoing head replacement. More specifically, the user may cause the display screen ofFIG. 6Bto be displayed on the printing apparatus1at arbitrary timing by operating the setting screen of the printing apparatus1displayed on the operation panel104. The replacement of the print head8may be performed when an error related to the print head8occurs. In other words, the printing apparatus1may display the screen ofFIG. 6C or 6Din response to the occurrence of an error related to the print head8. An unlock screen for replacing the MTC may be displayed in a case where an error related to the MTC occurs or in a case where the user operates the setting screen of the printing apparatus1displayed on the operation panel104at arbitrary timing when the user wants to replace the MTC.

Both the MTC and the ink tanks need to be replaced, for example, if an error related to the MTC and an error related to the ink tanks occur at the same time, or during initialization. In such cases, the printing apparatus1displays the unlock screen for replacing the MTC and the unlock screen for replacing the ink tanks at different timings. Specifically, for example, the printing apparatus1initially displays the unlock screen for replacing the MTC to prompt the user to replace the MTC. When the MTC is replaced and the front door22is closed, the printing apparatus1locks the front door22. The printing apparatus1then displays the unlock screen for replacing the ink tanks to prompt the user to replace the ink tanks. The replacement of the MTC is prompted first because the MTC collects the ink that flows during the replacement of the ink tanks. In a case where not only the MTC but the ink tanks are also replaced when the front door22is opened by using the unlock screen for replacing the MTC, then the printing apparatus1does not need to display the unlock screen for replacing the ink tanks.

If, after the head replacement preparation processing, the print head8is replaced and the front door22is locked, preparation processing for using the print head8is performed. Specifically, the inks are supplied from the ink tanks to the print head8. For such preparation processing, the remaining ink levels of the inks supplied from the ink tanks and the remaining capacity level of the MTC to collect waste ink generated during the ink supply from the ink tanks are needed. The printing apparatus1may check the remaining levels of the inks stored in the ink tanks and the remaining capacity level of the MTC to store the waste ink before the head replacement preparation processing, and determine whether a low-level error occurs in any of the ink tanks and the MTC. If occurrence of a low-level error is detected, the unlock screen for replacing the ink tanks or the unlock screen for replacing the MTC may be displayed to replace the component(s) causing the error. The unlock screen for replacing the print head8is displayed after the ink tank(s) and/or the MTC is/are replaced and the ink tanks and the MTC are confirmed to be free of a low-level error.

The unlock screens may be displayed not only when an error occurs or when the setting screen is operated as described above, but also at other timing. For example, in the present exemplary embodiment, the unlock screens are displayed during initialization and in setting a transportation mode.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the unlock operations are made on software buttons displayed on the operation panel104. However, this is not restrictive. For example, if the printing apparatus1includes a hardware button for accepting an unlock operation, the unlock operations may be made on the hardware button. In such a case, for example, operations on the hardware button may be disabled while the printing apparatus1is printing. The unlock operations may be any operations that are made on a component of the printing apparatus1other than the front door22and can be detected by the printing apparatus1.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating processing for unlocking the front door22to be performed by the printing apparatus1. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is started when the pressing of the unlock button on the unlock screen illustrated inFIG. 6Bis accepted. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is, in fact, implemented by the main controller101reading a program stored in a memory, such as the ROM107, into the RAM106and executing the program.

In step S701, the printing apparatus1starts the ink replacement preparation processing. Specifically, the printing apparatus1initially writes the information related to the ink tanks to the nonvolatile memories included in the respective ink tanks.

In step S702, the printing apparatus1starts the MTC replacement preparation processing. Specifically, the printing apparatus1initially writes the information related to the MTC to the nonvolatile memory provided in the MTC.

In step S703, the printing apparatus1performs processing for inhibiting the writing of information to the nonvolatile memories provided in the ink tanks and the nonvolatile memory provided in the MTC. This is to suppress the occurrence of inconsistency in written data resulting from the user replacing the ink tanks or the MTC while information is being written to the nonvolatile memories.

In step S704, the printing apparatus1closes all the supply valves so that air will not get into the ink supply channels when the ink tanks are detached.

In step S705, to make the front door22openable, the printing apparatus1performs control so that force-open detection processing to be described below will not be performed. Specifically, the printing apparatus1turns off a force-open detection flag.

In step S706, the printing apparatus1stops power supply to predetermined components of the printing apparatus1. Specific examples of the predetermined components include components related to the conveyance of a recording medium S (the components illustrated inFIG. 4) and components related to the maintenance operation (the wiping unit17, the maintenance unit16, and the cap unit10). This can improve the user's safety since no print operation, conveyance operation, or maintenance operation is performed while the front door22is opened and the user is operating the interior of the printing apparatus1.

In step S707, the printing apparatus1unlocks the front door22. In other words, the printing apparatus1controls the front door22to be openable. Here, the printing apparatus1can unlock the front door22and also move the front door22to the open position automatically (without a user operation).

In step S708, after the unlocking processing of step S707, the printing apparatus1determines whether the front door22is properly unlocked. The reason is that although the unlocking processing of step S707is performed, the front door22can fail to be properly unlocked due to a defect of a locking motor in charge of the locking function of the front door22. If the determination is YES (YES in step S708), the processing ends. If the determination is NO (NO in step S708), the processing proceeds to step S709.

In step S709, the printing apparatus1notifies the user of the occurrence of an unlock error of the front door22(that the front door22fails to be properly unlocked and the front door22is not in an openable state). Specifically, the printing apparatus1displays a screen for making a notification of the occurrence of the unlock error of the front door22on the operation panel104. The printing apparatus1then ends the processing.

If the pressing of the unlock button is accepted on the unlock screen illustrated inFIG. 6D, the head replacement preparation processing is started, for example, before step S701. The head replacement preparation processing is desirably performed after the MTC replacement preparation processing. The reason is that the head replacement preparation processing can use the MTC in performing processing for discharging the ink remaining in the print head8. The head replacement preparation processing is unable to be completed if the amount of ink stored in the MTC exceeds an acceptable level. In step S703, the writing to the nonvolatile memory provided in the print head8is inhibited.

In the present exemplary embodiment, an error notification is described to be issued in step S709if the determination in step S708is NO even once. However, this is not restrictive. The printing apparatus1may repeat the determination of step S708if the determination is NO. If the NO determination continues a plurality of times, then in step S709, the printing apparatus1may issue an error notification.

As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus1executes various preparation operations in response to an unlock operation being made by the user. With such a configuration, the printing apparatus1can suppress needless execution of the preparation operations, compared to a configuration in which the preparation operations are automatically executed without requiring the user's operation.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating processing for locking the front door22to be performed by the printing apparatus1. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is started if the front door22is opened (moved to the open position) and then closed again (moved to the closed position). Specifically, the printing apparatus1includes a not-illustrated opening and closing sensor that can detect the opening and closing state of the front door22. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is started if the opening and closing sensor detects that the front door22is closed. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is, in fact, implemented by the main controller101reading a program stored in a memory, such as the ROM107, into the RAM106and executing the program.

In step S801, the printing apparatus1determines whether the front door22has been closed (has been located at the closed position) for a predetermined time (here, 1 sec) or more, based on an output obtained from the opening and closing sensor. If the determination is YES (YES in step S801), the processing proceeds to step S802. If the determination is NO (NO in step S801), the processing returns to step S801.

In step S802, the printing apparatus1locks the front door22. In other words, the printing apparatus1performs control so that the front door22will not be opened by the user's manual operation on the front door22.

In step S803, the printing apparatus1determines whether the front door22is properly locked. The reason is that although the locking processing of step S802is performed, the front door22can fail to be properly locked due to a defect of the locking motor in charge of the locking function of the front door22. If the determination is YES (YES in step S803), the processing proceeds to step S805. If the determination is NO (NO in step S803), the processing proceeds to step S804.

In step S804, the printing apparatus1notifies the user of the occurrence of a lock error of the front door22(that the front door22fails to be properly locked and the front door22is in an openable state). Specifically, the printing apparatus1displays a screen for making a notification of the occurrence of the lock error of the front door22on the operation panel104. The printing apparatus1then ends the processing.

In step S805, the printing apparatus1determines whether the front door22is closed based on the output obtained from the opening and closing sensor. The reason is that the front door22can be opened by a user operation on the front door22during the processing of steps S801to S803. If the determination is YES (YES in step S805), the processing proceeds to step S806. If the determination is NO (NO in step S805), the processing returns to step S801after the front door22is detected to be closed again.

In step S806, the printing apparatus1resumes power supply to the predetermined components of the printing apparatus1. Specific examples of the predetermined components include the components related to the conveyance of a recording medium S (the components illustrated inFIG. 4) and the components related to the maintenance operation (the wiping unit17, the maintenance unit16, and the cap unit10). The printing apparatus1thus becomes capable of the print operation, conveyance operation, and maintenance operation again. If, for example, there is a door to be unlocked by an unlock operation other than the front door22, the printing apparatus1may also detect whether the door is locked. The power supply may be resumed if all such doors are locked.

In step S807, the printing apparatus1performs control so that the force-open detection processing to be described below is performed. Specifically, the printing apparatus1sets the force-open detection flag on.

In step S808, the printing apparatus1performs processing for removing the inhibition on the writing of information to the nonvolatile memories provided in the ink tanks (permits writing) and the nonvolatile memory provided in the MTC. The processing ends.

Subsequently, the printing apparatus1may determine whether the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8are properly mounted on the printing apparatus1, and whether an error is solved. If such determinations are NO, the printing apparatus1may display an unlock screen again.

In the foregoing description, the printing apparatus1is described to automatically lock the front door22in step S802. However, this is not restrictive. For example, the printing apparatus1may display a lock screen illustrated inFIG. 16in step S802, and lock the front door22if a lock operation on the lock screen is made by the user. The reason is that although the front door22is closed, the user can open the front door22again and do maintenance.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus1performs transportation preparation processing based on user instructions before transportation of the printing apparatus1. The transportation preparation processing refers to processing for preparing against vibrations during the transportation of the printing apparatus1.

FIG. 9is a flowchart illustrating the transportation preparation processing performed by the printing apparatus1. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is started when user operations for transportation preparation are made on a not-illustrated menu screen.

In step S901, the printing apparatus1moves the ink remaining in the print head8and in the ink supply channels leading to the print head8to the sub tank or the MTC (ink movement processing). The user operations for transportation preparation may include an operation for setting a transportation level. The transportation level indicates a setting about whether the transportation that the user is going to conduct is such that the printing apparatus1will be unused for a long period of time or such that the printing apparatus1will be unused for a short period of time. The former setting will be referred to as a long-term setting, and the latter a short-term setting. Different processes may be performed to move the ink in step S901based on the setting of the transportation level. Specifically, if the transportation level indicates the long-term setting, the printing apparatus1may move all the ink remaining in the print head8and the ink supply channels leading to the print head8to the sub tank or the MTC. If the transportation level indicates the short-time setting, the printing apparatus1may move some of the ink remaining in the print head8and the ink supply channels leading to the print head8to the sub tank or the MTC.

In step S902, the printing apparatus1determines whether an error has occurred in the ink movement processing of step S901. If the configuration for moving the ink is defective, an error that the ink remaining in the print head8and the ink supply channels leading to the print head8is unable to be normally moved to the sub tank or the MTC can occur. Specifically, for example, an error occurs if the amount of ink in the sub tank or the MTC exceeds an acceptable level. If the determination is YES (YES in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S903. If the determination is NO (NO in step S902), the processing proceeds to step S904.

In step S903, the printing apparatus1notifies the user of the occurrence of the error in the ink movement processing. Specifically, for example, the printing apparatus1displays a screen for making a notification of the occurrence of the error in the ink movement processing on the operation panel104. The printing apparatus1then ends the processing without setting on an installation flag to be described below. To solve the error, the printing apparatus1here may display an unlock screen to have the user solve the error.

In step S904, the printing apparatus1sets the installation flag on. The installation flag is a flag to be referred to by the printing apparatus1when the printing apparatus1is powered on. If the installation flag referred to upon power-on is on, the printing apparatus1displays an initialization screen ofFIG. 15to be described below and performs installation processing. On the other hand, if the installation flag referred to upon power-on is off, the printing apparatus1moves the ink back to the print head8and the ink supply channels, and returns to a printable state without performing the installation processing.

In step S905, the printing apparatus1displays an unlock screen and accepts an unlock operation from the user.

In step S906, the printing apparatus1performs the unlock processing illustrated inFIG. 7. If the front door22is unlocked in step S906, the user detaches the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8, and attaches a carriage fixing member for preventing movement of a carriage to which the print head8is attached. If an unlock operation is accepted, the printing apparatus1moves the carriage and the print head8attached to the carriage to a predetermined position for attaching the carriage fixing member, and then unlocks the front door22. The printing apparatus1then detects the closing of the front door22by the user.

In step S907, the printing apparatus1performs the lock processing illustrated inFIG. 8.

In step S908, the printing apparatus1determines whether the transportation preparation is completed. Specifically, the printing apparatus1determines whether the detachment of the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8, and the attachment of the carriage fixing member for preventing movement of the carriage to which the print head8is attached are completed. If the determination is YES (YES in step S908), the processing ends. If the determination is NO (NO in step S908), the processing returns to step S905.

As described above, when powered on, the printing apparatus1refers to the installation flag to see whether the installation flag is on or off. If the printing apparatus1is powered on for the first time after the completion of the transportation preparation processing illustrated inFIG. 9, the installation flag is on. With the installation flag on, the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8are detached from the printing apparatus1, and the carriage fixing member for preventing movement of the carriage to which the print head8is attached is attached to the printing apparatus1. To use the functions of the printing apparatus1, the user therefore needs to perform initialization of the printing apparatus1again. If the installation flag referred to is on, the printing apparatus1then displays the initialization screen illustrated inFIG. 15.

The initialization screen includes an area for performing installation (initialization), an area for upgrading the firmware of the printing apparatus1, an area for making network settings of the printing apparatus1, and an area for unlocking the front door22. If the area for unlocking the front door22is operated, the printing apparatus1displays an unlock screen. For example, the printing apparatus1can be powered off during the preparation processing illustrated inFIG. 9(in a state where the detachment of the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8and the attachment of the carriage fixing member are not completed). In such a case, after the printing apparatus1is powered on, the user can press the area for unlocking the front door22, open the front door22, and perform the rest of the foregoing preparation processing.

If the area for performing installation (initialization) is pressed by the user, the printing apparatus1displays an unlock screen. Accepting an unlock operation from the user, the printing apparatus1displays an instruction screen for prompting attachment of the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8and the detachment of the carriage fixing member on the operation panel104. The printing apparatus1then performs the unlock processing. The user opens the front door22, and performs the attachment of the ink tank, the MTC, and the print head8, and the detachment of the carriage fixing member according to the instruction screen. If the front door22is closed by the user and the lock processing illustrated inFIG. 8is completed, the printing apparatus1determines whether the attachment of the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8and the detachment of the carriage fixing member are completed. If the attachment of the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8and the detachment of the carriage fixing member are not completed, the printing apparatus1displays the unlock screen again. The printing apparatus1here may instruct the user to perform the unfinished processing of the attachment of the ink tanks, MTC, and the print head8and the detachment of the carriage fixing member. On the other hand, if the attachment of the ink tanks, the MTC, and the print head8and the detachment of the carriage fixing member are completed, the printing apparatus1performs preparation processing for making the functions of the printing apparatus1usable. Examples of the preparation processing include filling ink into the print head8. The printing apparatus1is thereby restored from the transportation state and becomes capable of performing various functions (such as printing, scan, and copy functions).

The initialization screen is also displayed, for example, if the printing apparatus1is activated for the first time after factory shipment.

As described above, the printing apparatus1locks the front door22and prevents the front door22from being opened by the user's manual operation on the front door22until the front door22is unlocked by an unlock operation.

However, if the user is unaware that the front door22is locked, the user can make an operation to open the front door22(opening operation) on the front door22(make a force-open operation) despite the front door22being locked. If the force-open operation continues, the front door22can be broken. In the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus1performs force-open detection processing for detecting whether a force-open operation is made. If a force-open operation is detected to be made, the printing apparatus1performs processing for warning the user that the front door22is locked. Specifically, if a force-open operation is made, the printing apparatus1issues warning sound (notification sound) from a not-illustrated speaker. The printing apparatus1also displays a warning screen illustrated inFIG. 11on the operation panel104. The warning screen is intended to make a notification that the front door22is locked, and dissuade the user from making an opening operation. The printing apparatus1may then display an unlock screen on the operation panel104. The printing apparatus1may display a screen for prompting the user to open the front door22by using an unlock screen on the operation panel104.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the printing apparatus1uses different warning methods depending on the state of the printing apparatus1.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating the force-open detection processing performed by the printing apparatus1. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is started when the front door22is locked or when the printing apparatus1is powered on with the front door22locked. The processing illustrated in the present flowchart is implemented by the main controller101reading a program stored in a memory, such as the ROM107, into the RAM106and executing the program.

In step S1001, the printing apparatus1determines whether the force-open detection processing is controlled to be executed. Specifically, the printing apparatus1determines whether the force-open detection flag is on. If the determination is YES (YES in step S1001), the processing proceeds to step S1002. If the determination is NO (NO in step S1001), the processing proceeds to step S1009.

In step S1002, the printing apparatus1determines whether an opening operation is made on the front door22by the user despite the locking of the front door22(whether a force-open operation is made). The printing apparatus1includes a detection sensor for detecting that an opening and closing knob provided on the front door22is held. The printing apparatus1determines whether a force-open operation is made based on an output obtained from the detection sensor. The printing apparatus1may make the determination, for example, by detecting a slight opening of the front door22by using the foregoing opening and closing sensor. If the determination is YES (YES in step S1002), the processing proceeds to step S1003. If the determination is NO (NO in step S1002), the processing proceeds to step S1009.

In step S1003, the printing apparatus1determines whether the printing apparatus1is executing a function. Examples of the function to be determined here include the print function, the scan function, the copy function, and the maintenance function. If the determination is YES (YES in step S1003), the processing proceeds to step S1004. If the determination is NO (NO in step S1003), the processing proceeds to step S1005.

In step S1004, the printing apparatus1performs first warning processing. The first warning processing includes processing for issuing warning sound at a volume higher than that of warning sound issued during second warning processing to be described below, and processing for displaying a warning screen for making a notification that the front door22is locked and prompting the user to quit the force-open operation on the operation panel104. The first warning processing may include processing for issuing warning sound for a longer time than the duration of the warning sound during the second warning processing to be described below. The warning screen displayed in the first warning processing may be different from one displayed in the second warning processing. For example, in the first warning processing, a warning screen illustrated inFIG. 12may be displayed to warn the user against making the force-open operation while the function is being executed. In the second warning processing, the warning screen illustrated inFIG. 11may be displayed. The warning screens may be automatically hidden after a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). The warning screens may be hidden in response to a user operation for closing a warning screen. The warning screens may be displayed only when a force-open operation is being detected by the detection sensor. The same applies to the stop timing of the warning sounds.

In step S1005, the printing apparatus1determines whether the printing apparatus1is in a power saving state (standby state). The power saving state is a state in which power supply to at least part of the components of the printing apparatus1is stopped or reduced so that power consumption is lower than in a normal state capable of various functions (print, scan, and copy functions). In the present exemplary embodiment, the power saving state refers to a state in which the power supply to the operation panel104is stopped, no screen is displayed on the operation panel104, and various functions are not performed. If the determination is YES (YES in step S1005), the processing proceeds to step S1006. If the determination is NO (NO in step S1005), the processing proceeds to step S1007.

In step S1006, the printing apparatus1transitions from the power saving state to the normal state. In other words, the printing apparatus1resumes power supply to the components to which the power supply has been stopped. This enables the printing apparatus1to display a screen on the operation panel104and issue a warning sound.

In step S1007, the printing apparatus1determines whether an unlock screen is displayed. If the determination is YES (YES in step S1007), the processing proceeds to step S1009. If the determination is NO (NO in step S1007), the processing proceeds to step S1008. In making the determination, the printing apparatus1may further determine, for example, whether an error notification screen such as illustrated inFIG. 6Ais displayed and whether a replacement screen such as illustrated inFIG. 6Cis displayed.

In step S1008, the printing apparatus1performs the second warning processing. The second warning processing includes processing for issuing a warning sound at a volume lower than that of the warning sound issued during the first warning processing, and processing for displaying a warning screen for making a notification that the front door22is locked and prompting the user to quit the force-open operation on the operation panel104. In the second warning processing, for example, either the processing for issuing the warning sound or the processing for displaying the warning screen may be omitted.

In step S1009, the printing apparatus1waits for a predetermined time (here, 1 second). The processing returns to step S1001.

The present flowchart is ended if the front door22is unlocked by an unlock operation.

As described above, if a force-open operation is detected, damage to the printing apparatus1by the force-open operation can be suppressed by warning the user.

The printing apparatus1may be configured, for example, so that whether to perform the warning processing can be set. For example, the printing apparatus1accepts an operation on a setting screen from the user and displays a warning setting screen such as illustrated inFIG. 13. On the warning setting screen, the user can make a setting whether to perform the warning processing. If a setting to perform the warning processing is made by the user, the warning processing illustrated inFIG. 10is performed after the front door22is closed. On the other hand, if a setting to not perform the warning processing is made, the warning processing illustrated inFIG. 10is not performed after the front door22is closed. That is, no warning screen is displayed and no warning sound is issued if an opening operation is made on the front door22despite the front door22being locked.

The printing apparatus1may be configured, for example, so that which is performed, the first warning processing or the second warning processing, in a case where the determination in step S1003is YES or in a case where the determination in step S1005is YES can be set. For example, the printing apparatus1accepts an operation on the setting screen from the user and displays a selection screen such as illustrated inFIG. 14. An area141in the upper part of the screen is an area for setting which warning processing is performed if the determination in step S1003is YES. An area142in the lower part of the screen is an area for setting which warning processing is performed if the determination in step S1005is YES. If “strong” is selected, the first warning processing is set to be performed. If “normal” is selected, the second warning processing is set to be performed. If “none” is selected, neither of the first warning processing and the second warning processing is set to be performed. In other words, in the processing illustrated inFIG. 10, the first warning processing is set as the warning processing to be performed if the determination in step S1003is YES, and the second warning processing is set as the warning processing to be performed if the determination in step S1005is YES.

For example, if an additional force-open operation is detected while a warning screen is displayed or while a warning sound is issued, the display time of the warning screen being displayed or the issuance time of the warning sound being issued may or may not be extended. For example, if an additional force-open operation is detected while the second warning processing is performed, the first warning processing may be performed anew to raise the warning level.

For example, the second warning processing may be performed if a force-open operation continues for less than a predetermined time. The first warning processing may be performed if a force-open operation continues for the predetermined time or more.

In the foregoing description, the warning method is described to be switched based on the state of the printing apparatus1during a force-open operation. However, this is not restrictive. For example, only the second warning processing may be performed. For example, the determinations in steps S1003and S1007may be omitted.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-046013, filed Mar. 13, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.