Patent Publication Number: US-11654684-B2

Title: Liquid ejecting apparatus, controlling method for liquid ejecting apparatus and medium storing controlling program for liquid ejecting apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-145601, filed on Aug. 31, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with a head having a plurality of nozzles, and a controller, and configured to execute a recording processing and a flushing processing, and a controlling method for controlling the liquid ejecting apparatus and a medium storing a controlling program for the liquid ejecting apparatus. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     A liquid ejecting apparatus which is configured to be capable of performing a flushing processing in order to suppress the increase in viscosity of a liquid in the vicinity of a nozzle is known. 
     SUMMARY 
     Such a configuration is considered wherein the flushing processing is executed, for example, after completion of the recording processing for a preceding recording medium and before start of the recording processing for a succeeding recording medium. However, in a case that a time interval after the completion of the recording processing for the preceding recording medium and until the start of the recording processing for the succeeding recording medium is short (for example, in a case that a conveying interval between the recording media is short), there is a low possibility that any increase in the viscosity of the liquid might occur in the vicinity of the nozzle. If, nevertheless, the flushing processing is executed at the above-described timing, the liquid is consumed uselessly or unnecessarily and the recording speed is lowered as well. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of suppressing any useless consumption of the liquid and any lowering in the recording speed due to the flushing processing, a controlling method for the liquid ejecting apparatus and a medium storing a controlling program for the liquid ejecting apparatus. 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: 
     a head having a plurality of nozzles; 
     a conveyor configured to convey a recording medium; and 
     a controller, 
     wherein the controller is configured to execute:
         a recording processing of causing the conveyor to convey the recording medium and causing the head to eject liquid from the nozzles with respect to the recording medium based on image data; and   a flushing processing of discharging the liquid from the nozzles with respect to a flushing area, based on flushing data different from the image data,       

     wherein the controller is further configured to execute a first determining processing of determining, based on the image data, whether a time interval after completion of a first recording processing and until start of a second recording processing exceeds a threshold value, the first recording processing being the recording processing with respect to a first area of the recording medium, the second recording processing being the recording processing with respect to a second area of the recording medium and being executed after the first recording processing, and 
     wherein in a case that the controller determines that the time interval exceeds the threshold value in the first determining processing, the controller is configured to execute the flushing processing after the completion of the first recording processing and before the start of the second recording processing. 
     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a controlling method for controlling a liquid ejecting apparatus including a head having a plurality of nozzles, and a conveyor configured to convey a recording medium, the controlling method including: 
     a recording processing of causing the conveyor to convey the recording medium and causing the head to eject liquid from the nozzles with respect to the recording medium based on image data; and 
     a flushing processing of discharging the liquid from the nozzles with respect to a flushing area, based on flushing data different from the image data, 
     wherein the controlling method further comprises a first determining processing of determining, based on the image data, whether a time interval after completion of a first recording processing and until start of a second recording processing exceeds a threshold value, the first recording processing being the recording processing with respect to a first area of the recording medium, the second recording processing being the recording processing with respect to a second area of the recording medium and being executed after the first recording processing, and 
     wherein in a case that the time interval is determined to exceed the threshold value in the first determining processing, the flushing processing is executed after the completion of the first recording processing and before the start of the second recording processing. 
     According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory medium storing a program for controlling a liquid ejecting apparatus including a head having a plurality of nozzles, a conveyor configured to convey a recording medium, and a controller, the program, when executed by the controller, causing the liquid ejecting apparatus to execute: 
     a recording processing of causing the conveyor to convey the recording medium and causing the head to eject liquid from the nozzles with respect to the recording medium based on image data; and 
     a flushing processing of discharging the liquid from the nozzles with respect to a flushing area, based on flushing data different from the image data, 
     wherein the program causes the liquid ejecting apparatus to further execute a first determining processing of determining, based on the image data, whether a time interval after completion of a first recording processing and until start of a second recording processing exceeds a threshold value, the first recording processing being the recording processing with respect to a first area of the recording medium, the second recording processing being the recording processing with respect to a second area of the recording medium and being executed after the first recording processing, and 
     wherein in a case that the time interval is determined to exceed the threshold value by the first determining processing, the program causes the liquid ejecting apparatus to execute the flushing processing after the completion of the first recording processing and before the start of the second recording processing. 
     According to the present disclosure, in a case that the time interval is determined to exceed the threshold value, the flushing processing is executed after the completion of the first recording processing and before the start of the second recording processing. By executing the flushing processing at an appropriate timing in this manner (namely, at a timing required for suppressing the increase in the viscosity of the liquid in the vicinity of the nozzle), it is possible to suppress any useless consumption of the liquid and any lowering in the recording speed due to the flushing processing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view schematically depicting the overall configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of a head depicted in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram depicting the electrical configuration of the printer of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are a flow chart indicating a processing executed by a CPU of the printer of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are a flow chart indicating a subroutine of obtaining a time interval T indicated in  FIG.  4 B . 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view depicting a situation in which a recording processing is sequentially performed with respect to a plurality of pieces of paper sheet in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  are a flow chart indicating a subroutine of obtaining the time interval T in a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic view depicting a situation in which the recording processing is sequentially performed with respect to a plurality of pieces of paper sheet in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment 
     First, the overall configuration of a printer  100  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure and the configuration of respective parts of the printer  100  will be explained, with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  3   . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  1   , the printer  1  is provided with: a head  10  having a plurality of nozzles N formed in a lower surface thereof; a carriage  20  holding the head  10 ; a moving mechanism  30  moving the carriage  20  and the head  10  in a moving direction (a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction); a platen  40  supporting a paper sheet (paper) P (recording medium) from therebelow; a conveyor  50  conveying the paper sheet P in a conveying direction (a direction orthogonal to the moving direction and the vertical direction); a flushing receiving member  60  arranged on one side in the moving direction with respect to the platen  40 ; and a controller  90 . 
     The plurality of nozzles N construct four nozzle rows (nozzle arrays) Nc, Nm, Ny, and Nk arranged side by side in the moving direction. Each of the nozzle rows Nc, Nm, Ny and Nk is constructed of nozzles N, among the plurality of nozzles N, arranged side by side in the conveying direction. The nozzles N constructing the nozzle row Nc eject a cyan ink, the nozzles N constructing the nozzle row Nm eject a magenta ink; the nozzles N constructing the nozzle row Ny eject a yellow ink, and the nozzles N constructing the nozzle row Nk eject a black ink. 
     The moving mechanism  30  includes a pair of guides  31  and  32  supporting the carriage  20 , and a belt  33  connected to the carriage  20 . The pair of guides  31  and  32  and the belt  33  extend in the moving direction. In a case that a carriage motor  30   m  (see  FIG.  3   ) is driven by control of the controller  90 , the belt  33  runs, thereby causing the carriage  20  and the head  10  to move in the moving direction along the pair of guides  31  and  32 . 
     The platen  40  is arranged at a location below the carriage  20  and the head  10 . The paper sheet P is supported by an upper surface of the platen  40 . 
     The conveyor  50  has two roller pairs  51  and  52 . In the conveying direction, the head  10 , the carriage  20  and the platen  40  are arranged between the roller pair  51  and the roller pair  52 . In the case that a conveying motor  50   m  (see  FIG.  3   ) is driven by the control of the controller  90 , the roller pairs  51  and  52  rotate in a state that the paper sheet P is pinched therebetween, thereby conveying the paper sheet P in the conveying direction. In such a manner, the conveyor  50  conveys the paper sheet P relative to the head  10 . 
     The flushing receiving member  60  is arranged between the pair of guides  31  and  32  in the conveying direction, and has a flushing area  60   r  in a surface thereof. The flushing area  60   r  is positioned at the outside of a conveying area of the paper sheet P by the conveyor  50 , and is adjacent to the conveying area in the moving direction. A flushing processing, which will be described later on, is performed toward the flushing area  60   r.    
     As depicted in  FIG.  2   , the head  10  includes a channel unit  12  and an actuator unit  13 . 
     The plurality of nozzles N (see  FIG.  1   ) are formed in a lower surface of the channel unit  12 . A common channel  12   a  communicating with an ink tank (not depicted in the drawings) and a plurality of individual channels  12   b  each of which communicates with one of the plurality of nozzles N are formed in the inside of the channel unit  12 . Each of the plurality of individual channels  12   b  is a channel from an outlet of the common channel  12   a  and reaching one of the nozzles N via a pressure chamber  12   p . A plurality of pieces of the pressure chamber  12   p  are opened in an upper surface of the channel unit  12 . 
     The actuator unit  13  includes a metallic vibration plate  13   a  arranged on the upper surface of the actuator unit  12  so as to cover the plurality of pressure chambers  12   p , a piezoelectric layer  13   b  arranged on an upper surface of the vibration plate  13   a , and a plurality of individual electrodes  13   c  each of which is arranged on an upper surface of the piezoelectric layer  13   b  so as to face one of the plurality of pressure chambers  12   p.    
     The vibration plate  13   a  and the plurality of individual electrodes  13   c  are electrically connected to a driver IC  14 . The driver IC  14  maintains the potential of the vibration plate  13  at the ground potential, whereas the driver IC  14  changes the potential of each of the plurality of individual electrodes  13   c . Specifically, the driver IC  14  generates a driving signal based on a control signal (a waveform signal FIRE and a selection signal SIN) from the controller  90 , and supplies the driving signal to each of the plurality of individual electrodes  13   c  via a signal line  14   s . With this, the potential of the individual electrode  13   c  is changed between a predetermined driving potential (VDD) and the ground potential (0V). In this situation, parts (actuator  13   x ) of the vibration plate  13   a  and the piezoelectric layer  13   b , respectively, which are sandwiched between each of the plurality of individual electrodes  13   c  and one of the pressure chambers  12   p  corresponding thereto are deformed, thereby changing the volume of the pressure chamber  12   p . As a result, pressure is applied to the ink inside the pressure chamber  12   p , ejecting the ink from the nozzle N. The actuator  13   x  is provided as a plurality of actuators  13 X each of which is provided on one of the plurality of individual electrodes  13   c  (namely, on one of the nozzles N); each of the plurality of actuators  13   x  is deformable independently in accordance with the potential supplied to each of the plurality of individual electrodes  13   c.    
     As depicted in  FIG.  3   , the controller  90  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  91 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  92 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  93  and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)  94 . Among the above-described elements, the CPU  91  and the ASIC  94  correspond to a “controller” of the present disclosure, and the RAM  93  corresponds to a “memory” of the present disclosure. 
     A program and data for allowing the CPU  91  and/or the ASIC  94  to perform a variety of kinds of control is stored in the ROM  92 . The RAM  93  temporarily stores data (image data, etc.) which is used by the CPU  91  and/or the ASIC  94  in a case of executing a program. The controller  90  is connected to an external apparatus (personal computer, etc.)  200  so that the controller  90  is capable of communicating with the external apparatus  200 , and executes a recording processing, etc., with the CPU  91  and/or the ASIC  94  based on data inputted from the external apparatus  200  or from an input pail of the printer  100  (a switch, a button, etc., provided on an outer surface of a casing of the printer  100 ). 
     In the recording processing, the ASIC  94  drives the driver IC  14 , the carriage motor  30   m  and the conveying motor  50   m , by following an instruction from the CPU  91  and based on a recording instruction or command received from the external apparatus  200 , etc. With this, a conveying operation of causing the conveyor  50  to convey the paper sheet P by a predetermined amount in the conveying direction, and a moving operation of ejecting the ink(s) from the nozzles N while moving the carriage  20  and the head  10  in the moving direction are alternately performed. As a result, dots of the ink(s) are formed on the paper sheet P, and an image is recorded on the paper sheet P. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  3   , the ASIC  94  includes an output circuit  94   a  and a transfer circuit  94   b.    
     The output circuit  94   a  generates the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN, and outputs these signals FIRE and SIN to the transfer circuit  94   a  for every recording cycle. The recording cycle is a time required for the paper sheet P moves relative to the head  10  only by a unit distance corresponding to the resolution of an image to be formed on the paper sheet P, and one piece of the recording cycle T corresponds to one pixel (picture element). 
     The waveform signal FIRE is a serial signal in which four pieces of waveform data are arranged in series. The four pieces of the waveform data correspond to respective liquid amounts of the ink which are ejected from the nozzle N in one recording cycle which are “zero (no ejection)”, “small”, “medium” and “large”, and have mutually different pulse numbers. 
     The selection signal SIN is a serial signal including selection data for selecting one waveform data among the four pieces of the waveform data as described above, and is generated for each of the actuators  13   x  and for each recording cycle based on the image data included in the recording instruction. 
     The transfer circuit  94   b  transfers the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN received from the output circuit  94   a  to the driver IC  14 . The transfer circuit  94   b  has a LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) driver installed therein and corresponding to each of the signals FIRE and SIN, and transfers each of the signals FIRE and SIN to the driver IC  14 , as a pulse-shaped differential signal. 
     The ASIC  94  controls the driver IC  14  in the recording processing, generates the driving signal based on the waveform signal FIRE and the selection signal SIN for each pixel, and supplies the driving signal to each of the plurality of individual electrodes  13   c  via the signal line  14   s . With this, the ASIC  94  ejects, for each pixel, the ink of which droplet amount is selected from the four kinds of liquid droplet amounts (zero, small, medium and large) from each of the plurality of nozzles N, toward the paper sheet P. 
     The ASIC  94  is electrically connected also to a photoelectric sensor  61  and a temperature sensor  62 , in addition to the driver IC  14 , the carriage motor  30   m  and the conveying motor  50   m.    
     The photoelectric sensor  61  has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and outputs data indicating an amount of light received by the light-receiving element to the ASIC  91 . There is a case that the light emitted from the light-emitting element is received by the light-receiving element and a case that the light emitted from the light-emitting element is not received by the light-receiving element, depending on the position of a jam detecting member (not depicted in the drawings). Specifically, in a case that any jam of the paper sheet P does not occur, the jam detecting member is at a position shielding or blocking the light emitted from the light-emitting element, and thus the light emitted from the light-emitting element is not received by the light-receiving element. On the other hand, in case that a jam of the paper sheet P occurs, the jam detecting member is brought into contact with the paper sheet P and is thereby moved from the above-described position to a position at which the jam detecting member does not shield or block the light emitted from the light-emitting element, and thus the light emitted from the light-emitting element is received by the light-receiving element. 
     The temperature sensor  62  detects the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m , and outputs data indicating the temperature to the ASIC  91 . 
     Next, an explanation will be given about a program executed by the CPU  91 , with reference to  FIGS.  4  to  6   . The program is executed in parallel with the recording processing, after the controller  90  receives the recording instruction from the external apparatus  200 , etc. 
     The CPU  91  firstly makes “n” to be “1” (step S 1 ), as depicted in  FIG.  4 A . The “n” is a number given for each of the moving operation in a time-series order. 
     After step S 1 , the CPU  91  reads, into the RAM  93 , image data which is among the image data included in the recording instruction and which is of a moving operation (n) to be executed next (step S 2 ). The term “image data of the moving operation (n)” means data for ejecting the ink(s) from the plurality of nozzles N in the moving operation (n). 
     After step S 2 , the CPU  91  determines whether or not the moving operation (n) which is to be executed next is the final (last) moving operation of a current page (step S 3 ). The term “current page” is a paper sheet P which is the object (target) of the moving operation (n). 
     In the recording processing, as depicted in  FIG.  6   , a plurality of paper sheets P and P 2  are conveyed in a sequential manner, and one time or a plurality of times of the moving operation is/are executed for each of the paper sheets P 1  and P 2  (one page). 
     For example, in a case that the moving operation (n) to be executed next is a recording processing (first recording processing) with respect to an area R 1  of the paper sheet P 1  as depicted in  FIG.  6   , the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) to be executed next is the final moving operation for the current page (paper sheet P 1 ) (step S 3 : YES). 
     In a case that the moving operation (n) to be executed next is a recording processing (second recording processing) with respect to an area R 2  of the paper sheet P 2  as depicted in  FIG.  6   , the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) to be executed next is not the final moving operation for the current page (paper sheet P 2 ) (step S 3 : NO). This is because a recording processing (third moving operation) with respect to an area R 3  of the paper sheet P 2  is (to be) executed after the second moving operation. 
     Each of the areas R 1  to R 3  is an area, of the paper sheet P, which overlaps with head  10  while one time of the moving operation, and which is a rectangular area extending in the moving direction. The area R 1  is an area of the preceding paper sheet P 1 , and the areas R 2  and R 3  are areas of the succeeding paper sheet P 2 . The areas R 1  to R 3  are arranged side by side in the conveying direction. The area R 2  is positioned on the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the area R 1 . The area R 3  is positioned on the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the area R 2 . The area R 1  corresponding to a “first area” of the present disclosure, the area R 2  corresponding to a “second area” of the present disclosure, and the area R 3  corresponding to a “third area” of the present disclosure. 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) to be executed next is not the final moving operation for the current page (step S 3 : NO), the CPU  91  further reads, into the RAM  93 , image data which is among the image data included in the recording instruction and which is of a moving operation (n+1) to be executed next (step S 4 ). 
     For example, in a case that the moving operation (n) to be executed next is the recording processing (second recording processing) with respect to the area R 2  of the paper sheet P 2  as depicted in  FIG.  6   , then in step S 4 , the CPU  91  further reads, into the RAM  93 , image data (third image data) which is among the image data included in the recording instruction and which is of a recording processing (third moving operation) with respect to the area R 3  of the paper sheet P 2 , as the image data of the moving operation (n+1) to be executed next. In this situation, there is provided a state that the image data (second image data) of the second moving operation and the image data (third image data) of the third moving operation are stored in the RAM  93 . 
     The image data may be either one of RGB (Red, Green, Blue) data corresponding to the color of the image, and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) data corresponding to the color of the ink(s). For example, it is allowable that the external apparatus  200  transmits the RGB data to the controller  90 , and that the CPU  91  reads the RGB data into the RAM  93 . Alternatively, it is allowable that the external apparatus  200  converts the RGB data into the CMYK data and transmits the converted CMYK data to the controller  90 , and that the controller  90  reads the CMYK data into the RAM  93 . 
     After step S 4 , the CPU  91  executes the moving operation (n) (step S 5 ). 
     The moving operation includes two cases which are a case of movement from one side (left side in  FIG.  6   ) toward the other side (right side in  FIG.  6   ) in the moving direction (forward moving operation), and a case of movement from the other side (right side in  FIG.  6   ) toward the one side (left side in  FIG.  6   ) in the moving direction (reverse moving operation). The flushing receiving member  60  is positioned on the one side in the moving direction (the left side in  FIG.  6   : direction D 2 ) with respect to the conveying area, and at a start point of time of the “forward moving operation” and at an end point of time of the “reverse moving operation”, the head  10  overlaps with the flushing area  60   r  in the vertical direction. 
     Whether to execute either one of the “forward moving operation” and the “reverse moving operation” may be determined as follows. As the first moving operation for a case that the moving operation is to be executed only one time with respect to the paper sheet P 1  or P 2  (one page), and for a case that the moving operation is to be executed a plurality of times with respect to the paper sheet P 1  or P 2  (one page), either one of the “forward moving operation” and the “reverse moving operation” is arbitrarily selected (for example, depending on the position of the head  10  before the start of the moving operation). A second moving operation and thereafter for the case that the moving operation is to be executed a plurality of times with respect to one piece of the paper sheet P 1  or P 2  (one page) is determined, as follows, so as to suppress any color difference (difference between an image indicated by the image data and an image recorded on the paper sheet P). Since the nozzle rows Nc, Nm, Ny and Nk are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the moving direction, the inks are landed on the paper sheet P in an order of “CMYK” in the direction D 1  of the forward moving operation. On the other hand, in the direction D 2  of the reverse moving operation, the inks are landed on the paper sheet P in an order of “KYMC”. Due to such a difference in the overlapping order of the inks, any color difference might occur between the case of the forward moving operation and the case of the reverse moving operation. In order to suppress the color difference, the CPU  91  firstly makes addition of “weight values” corresponding to respective sets of pixel values (RGB values: gradation values from 0 to 255) of the respective pixels of partitioned areas each of which is obtained by partitioning each of the areas R 1  to R 3 , corresponding to the moving operation, into a plurality of partitioned areas. In a case that the added weight values do not exceed a threshold value in any one of the partitioned areas, the CPU  91  determines to execute a moving operation in an opposite direction to that of a previously performed moving operation (for example, in a case that the previously performed moving operation is the “forward moving operation”, the “reverse moving operation” is to be executed), whereas in a case that the previously performed moving operation is the “reverse moving operation”, the “forward moving operation” is to be executed). On the other hand, in a case that the added weight values exceed a threshold value in any one of the partitioned areas, the CPU  91  determines to execute a moving operation in a same direction to that of a previously performed moving operation (for example, in a case that the previously performed moving operation is the “forward moving operation”, the “forward moving operation” is to be executed), whereas in a case that the previously performed moving operation is the “reverse moving operation”, the “reverse moving operation” is to be executed). 
     In a case of executing the moving operation in the same direction as that of the previously performed moving operation, an operation of moving the head  10  in a direction opposite to the above-described direction without ejecting the ink from the nozzles N is performed between the previously performed moving operation and the moving operation to be performed this time. On the other hand, in a case of executing the moving operation in the opposite direction to that of the previously performed moving operation, the operation of moving the head  10  in the moving direction is not performed between the previously performed moving operation and the moving operation to be performed this time. 
     After step S 5 , the CPU  91  deletes the image data of the moving operation (n) from the RAM  93  (step S 6 ). 
     After step S 6 , the CPU  91  makes “n” to be “n+1” (step S 7 ), and returns the processing to step S 3 . 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) which is to be performed next is the final moving operation of the current page (step S 3 : YES), the CPU  91  determines whether or not there is a next page (step S 8 ). 
     For example, in a case that the moving operation (n) to be performed next is a recording processing (first recording processing) with respect to the area R 1  of the paper sheet P 1  as depicted in  FIG.  6   , the CPU  91  determines that there is the next page (paper sheet P 2 ) (step S 8 : YES). 
     In a case that the moving operation (n) to be performed next is a recording processing (third recording processing) with respect to the area R 3  of the paper sheet P 2  as depicted in  FIG.  6    and that there is no paper sheet P succeeding to the paper sheet P 2 , the CPU  91  determines that there is no the next page (step S 8 : NO). 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that there is no next page (step S 8 : NO), the CPU  91  executes the moving operation (n) (step S 9 ). After step S 9 , the CPU  91  deletes the image data of the moving operation (n) from the RAM  93  (step S 10 ), and ends the routine. 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that there is a next page (step S 8 : YES), the CPU  91  reads, into the RAM  93 , image data which is among the image data included in the recording instruction and which is image data of a first moving operation (n+1) on the next page (step S 11 ). 
     For example, in a case that the moving operation (n) to be performed next is a recording processing (first recording processing) with respect to the area R 1  of the paper sheet P 1  as depicted in  FIG.  6   , then in step S 11 , the CPU  91  reads, into the RAM  93 , image data (second image data) which is among the image data included in the recording instruction and which is image data of a recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  of the paper sheet P 2 , as the image data of the first moving operation (n+1) on the next page. Namely, before the recording processing (first moving operation) with respect to the area R 1  of the paper sheet P 1 , there is provided a state that the image data (first image data) of the first moving operation and the image data (second image data) of the second moving operation are stored in the RAM  93 . Note that the recording processing includes the first moving operation and the second moving operation. The image data includes the first image data and the second mage data. 
     After step S 11 , the CPU  91  executes a final moving operation (n) of the current page (step S 12 ). For example, in a case that the moving operation (n) is the recording processing (first moving operation) with respect to the area R 1 , the CPU  91  starts, in step S 12 , the first moving operation in a state that the image data of the recording processing (first moving operation) with respect to the area R 1  and the image data of the recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  are stored in the RAM  93 . 
     After step S 12 , the CPU  91  obtains a time interval T (step S 13 ). The time interval T represents a time after completion of the final moving operation (n) on the current page and until start of the first moving operation (n+1) on the next page. 
     Here, an explanation will be given about the obtainment of the time interval T (step S 13 ), with reference to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . 
     In the following explanation, a case is assumed wherein the final moving operation (n) on the current page is the recording processing (first moving operation) with respect to the area R 1  of the paper sheet P 1  as depicted in  FIG.  6   , and the first moving operation (n+1) on the next page is the recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  of the paper sheet P 2  as depicted in  FIG.  6   . The recording processing (first moving operation) with respect to the area R 1  corresponds to the “first recording processing” of the present disclosure, and the recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  corresponds to the “second recording processing” of the present disclosure. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  5 A , the CPU  91  firstly obtains a distance D (see  FIG.  6   ) in the conveying direction from the area R 1  to the area R 2  (step S 21 ). In step S 21 , the CPU  91  obtains positional information in the conveying direction of the areas R 1  and R 2 , and obtains the distance D based on the positional information. 
     After step S 21 , the CPU  91  determines whether or not the moving direction is the “forward moving direction” (step S 22 ). 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) is the “forward moving operation” (step S 22 : YES), the CPU  91  makes a moving distance X to be “A” (“A” is made to be a moving distance in the moving direction of the head  10  from the start point to the end point of one time of the moving operation) (step S 23 ). In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) is not the “forward moving operation” (that the moving operation (n) is the “reverse moving operation”) (step S 22 : NO), the CPU  91  makes the moving distance X to be “0” (step S 24 ). 
     The moving distance X is a moving distance in the moving direction of the head  10  after the completion of the moving operation (n) and until the start of the moving operation (n+1). In each of steps S 23  and S 24 , the CPU  91  firstly sets a moving distance in the moving direction of the head  10  “from the end point of the moving operation (n) to the flushing area  60   r ” to be the moving distance X. 
     After step S 23  or S 24 , the CPU  91  determines whether or not the moving operation (n+1) is the “forward moving operation” (step S 25 ). 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n+1) is not the “forward moving operation” (that the moving operation (n+1) is the “reverse moving operation”) (step S 25 : NO), the CPU  91  makes the moving distance X to be “X+A” (step S 26 ). Here, the moving distance in the moving direction of the head “from the flushing area  60   r  to the start point of the moving operation (n+1) is added to the distance set in step S 23  or S 24 . 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n+1) is the “forward moving operation” (step S 25 : YES), the CPU  91  skips the step S 26 , and proceeds the processing to step S 27 . This is because in a case that the moving operation (n+1) is the “forward moving operation”, the start point of the moving operation (n+1) is located immediately above the flushing area  60   r , and the moving distance in the moving direction of the head  10  from the flushing area  60   r  to the start point of the moving operation (n+1) is zero (0). 
     After step S 26 , or in a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n+1) is the “forward moving operation” (step S 25 : YES), the CPU  91  determines whether or not the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is not less than 70° C., based on the data received from the temperature sensor  62  (see  FIG.  3   ) (step S 27 ). In the present embodiment, in a case that the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is not less than 70° C., the CPU  91  stops the conveyance of the paper sheet P only for a predetermined time Tw after the completion of the moving operation (n). Namely, step S 27  is a processing of determining whether or not the conveyance of the paper sheet P is to be stopped for the predetermined time after the completion of the moving operation (n), and corresponds to a “third determining processing” of the present disclosure. 
     In the case that the CPU  91  determines that the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is not less than 70° C. (step S 27 : YES), the CPU  91  calculates the time interval T by a formula “Tw+D/Vp1+X/Vc” (step S 28 ). Namely, in step S 28 , the CPU  91  obtains the time interval T based on the distance D in the conveying direction from the area R 1  to the area R 2 . Here, “Tw” is the predetermined time, “D” is the distance obtained in step S 21 , “X” is the distance obtained in step S 23 , step S 24 , or step S 26 , “Vp1” is the conveying speed of the paper sheet P by the conveyor  50 , and “Vc” is the moving speed of the head  10  by the moving mechanism  30 . 
     In the case that the CPU  91  determines that the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is less than 70° C. (step S 27 : NO), the CPU  91  determines whether or not the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is not less than 60° C. (step S 29 ). In the present embodiment, in a case that the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is in a range of not less than 60° C. and less than 70° C., the CPU  91  lowers the conveying speed from Vp1 to Vp2 after the completion of the moving operation (n) (Vp2&lt;Vp1). Namely, step S 29  is a processing of determining whether or not the conveying speed of the paper sheet P by the conveyor  50  is to be lowered from Vp1 to Vp2 after the completion of the moving operation (n), and corresponds to a “second determining processing” of the present disclosure. 
     In the case that the CPU  91  determines that the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is less than 60° C. (step S 29 : NO), the CPU  91  calculates the time interval T from a formula “D/Vp1+X/Vc” (step S 30 ). 
     In the case that the CPU  91  determines that the temperature of the conveying motor  50   m  is not less than 60° C. (step S 29 : YES), the CPU  91  calculates the time interval T from a formula “D/Vp2+X/Vc” (step S 31 ). 
     After step S 28 , S 30  or S 31 , the CPU  91  ends the subroutine. 
     Returning to  FIG.  4 B , after step S 13 , the CPU  91  determines whether or not the time interval T exceeds a threshold value (step S 14 ). Step S 14  is a processing of determining, based on the first image data, whether or not the time interval after the completion of the recording processing with respect to the area R 1  of the paper sheet P 1  until the start of the recording processing with respect to the area R 2  of the paper sheet P 2  exceeds the threshold value, and corresponds to a “first determining processing” of the present disclosure. 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the time interval T exceeds the threshold value (step S 14 : YES), the CPU  91  executes the flushing processing (step S 15 ). The flushing processing is a processing of discharging, based on flushing data different from the image data, the ink(s) from the plurality of nozzles N with respect to the flushing area  60   r . In step S 15 , the CPU  91  arranges the head  10  at a location immediately above the flushing area  60   r  (see  FIG.  6   ), and drives the actuators  13   x  by the driver IC  14 , and discharges the ink(s) from the nozzles N. The ink(s) is/are received by the flushing area  60   r , and flow(s) to a waste ink tank (not depicted in the drawings). 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the time interval T does not exceed the threshold value (step S 14 : NO), the CPU  91  determines whether or not the jam of the paper sheet P is detected (step S 16 ). In step S 16 , in a case that data indicating a light amount of not less than a predetermined amount is received from the photoelectric sensor  61  (see  FIG.  3   ) continuously for not less than a predetermined time, the CPU  91  determines that the jam of the paper sheet P is detected. 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the jam of the paper sheet P is detected (step S 16 : YES), the CPU  91  executes the flushing processing (step S 15 ). Namely, in a case that the CPU  91  determines that the time interval T does not exceed the threshold value and determines that the jam of the paper sheet P is detected, the CPU  91  executes the flushing processing after the completion of the moving operation (n) and before the start of the moving operation (n+1). 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the jam of the paper sheet P is not detected (step S 16 : NO), or after step S 15 , the CPU  91  returns the processing to step S 6 . 
     For example, in a case that the flushing processing (step S 15 ) is executed after the execution of the recording processing (first moving operation) with respect to the area R 1  in step S 12 , and that the processing is returned to step S 6 , or in a case that the processing is returned to step S 6  without executing the flushing processing (step S 15 ), the image data (first image data) of the recording processing (first moving operation) with respect to the area R 1  is deleted from the RAM  93  in step S 6 . After the image data of the recording processing with respect to the area R 1  is deleted from the RAM  93 , the processing is returned to step S 3  via step S 7 ; and in step S 4 , the image data (third image data) of the recording processing (third moving operation) with respect to the area R 3  is read into the RAM  93 . Then, in step S 5 , the recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  is started in the state that the image data (second image data) of the recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  and the image data (third image data) of the recording processing (third moving operation) with respect to the area R 3  are stored in the RAM  93 . Furthermore, after the recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  is executed in step S 5 , the image data (second image data) of the recording processing (second moving operation) with respect to the area R 2  is deleted from the RAM  93  in step S 6 . Note that the recording processing includes the third moving operation, and that the image data includes the third image data. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a case that the CPU  91  determines that the time interval T exceeds the threshold value (step S 14 : YES), the CPU  91  executes the flushing processing (step S 15 ) after the completion of the first recording processing (recording processing with respect to the area R 1 : step S 12 ) and before the start of the second recording processing (recording processing with respect to the area R 2 : step S 5 ), as depicted in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  (the flow is in the following order: step S 12  to step S 14 : YES to step S 15  to step S 7 , and to step S 5 ). By executing the flushing processing at such an appropriate timing (namely, a timing required for suppressing the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle N), it is possible to suppress any useless consumption of the ink and the lowering in the recording speed due to the flushing processing. 
     The printer  100  is provided with the moving mechanism  30  (see  FIG.  1   ). In the recording processing, the CPU  91  performs the conveying operation of causing the conveyor  50  to convey the paper sheet P by the predetermined amount in the conveying direction, and the moving operation of ejecting the ink(s) from the nozzles N while moving the head  10  in the moving direction. In this configuration, each of the areas R 1  and R 2  is the area, in the paper sheet P, which corresponds to one time of the moving operation, and the area R 2  is positioned on the upstream side in the conveying direction with respect to the area R 1  (see  FIG.  6   ). In this case, the present disclosure can be effectively realized in the head  10  of the serial system. 
     Before the CPU  91  executes the moving operation (n) in step S 12 , the CPU  91  provides the state that the image data of the moving operation (n) (for example, the first image data of the area R 1 ) and the image data of the moving operation (n+1) (for example, the second image data of the area R 2 ) are stored in the RAM  93 , and the CPU  91  executes the moving operation (n) in this state, as depicted in  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B . Afterwards, the CPU  91  deletes the image data of the moving operation (n) from the RAM  93 , via the first determining processing (step S 14 ). Further, regarding the next moving operation (n+1), the CPU  91  executes the similar processing. In such a manner, the CPU  91  executes the first determining processing (step S 14 ) between the successively executed moving operations, whereas the CPU  91  executes the flushing processing (step S 15 ) in a case that the time interval T exceeds the threshold value. With this, it is possible to obtain the effect of suppressing the increase in the viscosity of the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle N in a more ensured manner. 
     The CPU  91  obtains the time interval T based on the distance D the conveying direction from the area R 1  to the area R 2  (see steps S 21 , S 28 , S 30  and S 31  in  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , and  FIG.  6   ). In this case, it is possible to execute the first determining processing (step S 14 ) appropriately, by considering the conveyance of the paper sheet P since the completion of the moving operation (n) and until the start of the moving operation (n+1). 
     The CPU  91  obtains the time interval T based on whether each of the moving operation (n) and the moving operation (n+1) is which one of the forward moving operation and the reverse moving operation (steps S 22  to S 26 , S 28 , S 30  and S 31  of  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , and  FIG.  6   ). In this case, it is possible to execute the first determining processing (step S 14 ) more appropriately, by considering the moving of the head  10  since the completion of the moving operation (n) and until the start of the moving operation (n+1). 
     The flushing area  60   r  is positioned at the outside of the conveying area of the paper sheet P by the conveyor  50  (see  FIGS.  1  and  6   ). In this case, it is possible to prevent the paper sheet P from being dirtied and to suppress the consumption of the paper sheet P, as compared with a case that the flushing area is provided in the inside of the conveying area (namely, a case that the flushing is executed on the paper sheet P). 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the conveying speed is to be lowered from the conveying speed Vp1 to the conveying speed Vp2 after the completion of the moving operation (n) (step S 29 : YES in  FIG.  5 B ), the CPU  91  obtains the time interval T based on the distance D in the conveying direction from the area R 1  to the area R 2  (see  FIG.  6   ) and based on the conveying speed Vp2 (see step S 31  of  FIG.  5 B ). In this case, it is possible to execute the first determining processing (step S 14 ) more appropriately. 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the conveyance of the paper sheet P is to be stopped only for the predetermined time Tw after the completion of the moving operation (n) (step S 27 : YES in  FIG.  5 B ), the CPU  91  obtains the time interval T by adding the predetermined time Tw to the time (D/Vp1) calculated from the distance D the conveying direction from the area. R 1  to the area R 2  (see  FIG.  6   ) and from the conveying speed Vp1 (see step S 28  in  FIG.  5 B ). In this case, it is possible to execute the first determining processing (step S 14 ) more appropriately. 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the time interval T does not exceed the threshold value (step S 14 : NO in  FIG.  4 B ), the CPU  91  determines whether or not the jam of the paper sheet P is detected (step S 16 ). Further, in a case that the CPU  91  determines that the jam of the paper sheet P is detected (step S 16 : YES), the CPU  91  executes the flushing processing (step S 15 ) after the completion of the first recording processing (the recording processing with respect to the area R 1 : step S 12 ) and before the start of the second recording processing (the recording processing with respect to the area R 2 : step S 5 ) (the flow is in the following order: step S 12  to step S 14 : NO to step S 16 : YES to step S 15  to step S 7 , and to step S 5 ). Namely, in a case that the time interval T does not exceed the threshold value but that the jam of the paper sheet P has occurred, the CPU  91  executes the flushing processing. With this, even if the meniscus of the nozzle N is destroyed by the jam of the paper sheet P, it is possible to form the meniscus by the flushing processing, and to execute the second recording processing appropriately. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained, with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   . 
     The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that the content of processing in step S 13  of  FIG.  4 B  (subroutine for obtaining the time interval T) is different from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a subroutine of  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  is applied, as step S 13  of  FIG.  4 B , instead of the subroutine of  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B . In the following, the second embodiment will be explained mainly on the difference from the first embodiment. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  7 A , the CPU  91  firstly obtains a distance D in the conveying direction from an area R 1 ′ to an area R 2 ′ (see  FIG.  8   ) (step S 41 ). In step S 41 , the CPU  91  obtains positional information in the conveying direction of the area R 1 ′ and positional information in the conveying direction of the area R 2 ′ based on the image data, and obtains the distance D based on these pieces of the positional information. 
     In the second embodiment, each of the areas R 1 ′ and R 2 ′ is not an area, of the paper sheet P, corresponding to the entirety of one time of the moving operation (namely, from the start point to the end point of one time of the moving operation; see the areas R 1  and R 2  in the first embodiment:  FIG.  6   ); rather, each of the areas R 1 ′ and R 2 ′ is a part (partial area) in the moving direction of an area, of the paper sheet P, corresponding to one time of the moving operation. 
     After step S 41 , in a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) is the “forward moving operation” (step S 22 : YES), the CPU  91  makes the moving distance X to be “(A−L 1 )+A” (“A” is a moving distance in the moving direction of the head  10  from the start point to the end point of one time of the moving operation, “L 1 ” is a distance in the moving operation from the area R 1 ′ to the flushing area  60   r : see  FIG.  8   ) (step S 43 ). 
     After step S 41 , in a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n) is not the “forward moving operation” (the moving operation (n) is the “reverse moving operation”; step S 22 : NO), the CPU  91  makes the moving distance X to be “L 1 ” (step S 44 ). 
     In each of steps S 43  and S 44 , the CPU  91  obtains the positional information in the moving direction of the area R 1 ′ based on the image data, and obtains the distance L 1  based on this positional information. Namely, in each of steps S 43  and S 44 , the CPU  91  obtains the moving distance X based on the position in the moving direction of the area R 1 ′. 
     The moving distance X is a moving distance in the moving direction of the head  10  after the completion of the moving operation (n) and until the start of the moving operation (n+1). In each of the steps S 43  and  44 , the CPU  91  sets the moving distance in the moving direction of the head  10  “from the end point of the moving operation (n) to the flushing area  60   r ”, as the moving distance X. 
     After step S 43  or step S 44 , the CPU  91  proceeds the processing to step S 25 . 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n+1) is not the “forward moving operation” (that the moving operation (n+1) is the “reverse moving operation”) (step S 25 : NO), the CPU  91  makes the moving distance X to be “X+A+(A−L 2 )” (step S 46   a ). 
     In a case that the CPU  91  determines that the moving operation (n+1) is the “forward moving operation” (step S 25 : YES), the CPU  91  makes the moving distance X to be “X+L 2 ” (step S 46   b ). 
     In each of steps S 46   a  and S 46   b , the CPU  91  obtains the positional information in the moving direction of the area. R 2 ′ based on the image data, and obtains a distance L 2  based on this positional information. 
     In each of steps S 46   a  and S 46   b , the CPU  91  adds, to the distance set in step S 43  or S 44 , the moving distance L 2  in the moving direction of the head  10  “from the flushing area  60   r  to the start point of the moving operation (n+1)”. 
     After step S 46   a  or S 46   b , the CPU  91  executes processings of steps S 27  and S 31  which are similar to those in the first embodiment ( FIG.  5 B ). 
     According to the second embodiment, as described above, the CPU  91  is capable of executing the first determining processing (step S 14 ) more appropriately by considering not only the position in the conveying direction of each of the areas R 1 ′ and R 2 ′ but also the position in the moving direction of each of the areas R 1 ′ and R 2 ′. 
     Modifications 
     Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained in the foregoing, the present disclosure is not limited to or restricted by the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the claims. 
     The flushing area is not limited to as being positioned at the outside of the conveying area, and may be positioned within the conveying area. For example, in a case that the head is of a line system, it is allowable that the flushing receiving member which is positioned at a standby position at the outside of the conveying area is moved to a location below the head (to the inside of the conveying area), and that the flushing processing is executed. After the execution of the flushing processing, the flushing receiving member may be returned to the standby position. Further, the flushing area is not limited to as being provided on the flushing receiving member, and may be provided on the recording medium (paper sheet P). 
     In the above-described embodiments (see  FIGS.  6  and  8   ), the first area (area R 1 , R 1 ′) is provided on the paper sheet P 1 , and the second area (area R 2 , R 2 ′) and the third area (R 3 ) are provided on the paper sheet P 2 . The present disclosure, however, is not limited to or restricted by this. For example, it is allowable to provide the first to third areas within one piece of the paper sheet P. Further, although the first to third areas are arranged side by side in the conveying direction in the above-described embodiments, the first to third areas may be arranged side by side in the moving direction. 
     The distance in the conveying direction from the first area to the second area is the center-to-center distance between the centers of the area R 1  (R 1 ′) and the area R 2  (R 2 ′) in the above-described embodiments (see  FIGS.  6  and  8   ). The present disclosure, however, is not limited to this. For example, the distance in the conveying direction from the first area to the second area may be a distance from an upstream end in the conveying direction of the first area to an upstream end in the conveying direction of the second area, or a distance from a downstream end in the conveying direction of the first area to a downstream end in the conveying direction of the second area, or a distance from the downstream end in the conveying direction of the first area to the upstream end in the conveying direction of the second area, or a distance from the upstream end in the conveying direction of the first area to the downstream end in the conveying direction of the second area, etc. 
     Similarly, in the second embodiment (see  FIG.  8   ), although the distance L 1  is the distance from the center in the moving direction of the area R 1 ′ to the flushing area  60   r  and the distance L 2  is the distance from the center in the moving direction of the area R 2 ′ to the flushing area  60   r , the distance L 1  may be a distance from one end or the other end in the moving direction of the area R 1 ′ to the flushing area  60   r , and the distance L 2  may be a distance from one end or the other end in the moving direction of the area R 2 ′ to the flushing area  60   r.    
     Regarding the detection of the jam in the above-described embodiment, in a case that the jam does not occur, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is not received by the light-receiving element, whereas in a case that the jam occurs, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is received by the light-receiving element. It is allowable, however, to provide a reverse configuration to the above-described configuration. For example, it is allowable that in the case that the jam does not occur, the jam detecting member is located at a position at which the jam detecting member does not shield or block the light emitted from the light-emitting element, thereby allowing the light emitted from the light-emitting element to be received by the light-receiving element, whereas in the case that the jam occurs, the jam detecting member is moved (from the above-described position) to a position at which the jam detecting member makes contact with the paper sheet and at which the jam detecting member shields or blocks the light emitted from the light-emitting element, thereby preventing the light emitted from the light-emitting element from being received by the light-receiving element. 
     In the foregoing embodiment, the determination as to whether the conveyance of the recording medium by the conveyor is to be “stopped for the predetermined time” or “the speed of the conveyance is to be lowered from the first speed to the second speed which is lower than the first speed” after the completion of the first recording processing is performed based on the temperature of the conveying motor (steps S 27 , S 29  of  FIG.  5 B  and  FIG.  7 B ). The present disclosure, however, is not limited to this. For example, it is allowable to perform the above-described determination based on the temperature of the carriage motor, or based on the environmental temperature of the head. 
     Although the head in the above-described embodiment is of the serial system, the head may be of the line system. 
     The liquid ejected from the nozzles is not limited to the ink, and may be a liquid which is different from the ink (e.g., a treatment liquid which agglutinates or precipitates a component(s) of ink, etc.). 
     The recording medium is not limited to the paper sheet (paper), and may be a cloth, a resin member, etc. 
     The present disclosure is also applicable to facsimiles, copy machines, multifunction peripherals, etc. without limited to printers. The present disclosure is also applicable to a liquid discharge apparatus used for any other application than the image recording (e.g., a liquid discharge apparatus which forms an electroconductive pattern by ejecting an electroconductive liquid on a substrate). 
     The program according to the present disclosure is distributable by being recorded on a removable-type recording medium such as a flexible disk, etc., and on a fixed-type recording medium such as a hard disk, etc., and is also distributable via a telecommunication line.