Patent Publication Number: US-10308059-B2

Title: Printing apparatus and control method for printing apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a control method for a printing apparatus. 
     2. Related Art 
     Heretofore, printing apparatuses each provided with one or more heaters for fixating inks have been known (see, for example, JP-A-11-115175). In JP-A-11-115175, there is disclosed a printing apparatus provided with a plurality of heaters and configured to allow the plurality of heaters to irradiate far-infrared rays to fixate inks having been ejected on recording paper that is a medium. 
     When a user uses a printing apparatus provided with one or more heaters, such as the printing apparatus disclosed in JP-A-11-115175, the user sometimes heats a medium using an external heater concurrently. In this case, in order to allow the printing apparatus to be appropriately performed, an appropriate adjustment of the installation position, the output, and the like of the external heater is required, but conventional adjustments of the external heater tend to depend on user&#39;s feeling, experiences, and the like, and thus, the adjustment of the external heater has sometimes not been facilitated. 
     SUMMARY 
     An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a printing apparatus and a control method for a printing apparatus are provided that facilitate the adjustment of an external heater. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, a printing apparatus for performing printing on a medium includes a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature and a control unit configured to, in a case where an operation mode of the printing apparatus is a first mode, allow the temperature sensor to detect temperature of heat emitted by an external heater, and execute processing in relation to an adjustment of the external heater based on the detected temperature. Here, the external heater is externally installed and is configured to heat the medium. 
     According to this configuration, processing in relation to the external heater is executed based on the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater, which is detected by the temperature sensor, and thus, the adjustment of the external heater is facilitated. 
     Further, in the first aspect, the printing apparatus further includes a heater configured to heat the medium, and the temperature sensor is a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the heater. 
     According to this configuration, the temperature sensor configured to detect the heater included in the printing apparatus is used as the temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater, and thus, the adjustment of the external heater is facilitated without newly providing a temperature sensor. 
     Further, in the first aspect, the printing apparatus further includes a reporting unit configured to report information, and based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the control unit allows the reporting unit to report information indicating whether or not the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater is within an acceptable range. 
     According to this configuration, information indicating whether or not the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater is within an acceptable range is reported by the reporting unit, and thus, a user is able to recognize whether or not the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater is within an acceptable range, and the convenience for the user is increased. 
     Further, in the first aspect, the printing apparatus further includes an instructing unit configured to perform issuing of an instruction in relation to the adjustment of the external heater, and the control unit allows the instructing unit to perform issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of an adjustment of an installation position of the external heater and an adjustment of an output of the external heater. 
     According to this configuration, issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater and the adjustment of the output of the external heater is performed, and thus, a user is able to easily adjust the external heater without depending on the feeling, experiences, and the like of the user. 
     Further, in the first aspect, based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, when the temperature of the sensor has risen above a predetermined threshold value, the control unit causes operation of the printing apparatus to be stopped. 
     According to this configuration, when the temperature of the heater included in the printing apparatus has risen above a predetermined value, the operation of the printing apparatus is caused to be stopped, and thus, the safety of the printing apparatus is ensured. 
     Further, in the first aspect, the control unit waits for a reception of an instruction indicating whether or not the operation mode of the printing apparatus is to be moved to a second mode based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the second mode being a mode in which, even when the temperature of the heater has risen above the predetermined threshold value, the operation of the printing apparatus is not caused to be stopped. Further, upon reception of an instruction indicating that the operation mode of the printing apparatus is to be moved to the second mode, the control unit moves the operation mode of the printing apparatus to the second mode. 
     According to this configuration, in the case where an instruction indicating that the operation mode of the printing apparatus is to be moved to the second mode has been received, even when the temperature of the heater included in the printing apparatus has risen above a predetermined threshold value, the operation of the printing apparatus is not caused to be stopped. Thus, even when printing is performed while the external heater is concurrently used, the stop of the operation of the printing apparatus is prevented and the convenience for a user when the external heater is concurrently used is increased. 
     Further, in the first aspect, the printing apparatus further includes a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to the external heater, and the control unit controls the electric power supplied by the power supply unit based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. 
     According to this configuration, the electric power supplied by the power supply unit is controlled on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and thus, the control of the output of the external heater based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is achieved. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, a control method for a printing apparatus for performing printing on a medium includes, in a case where an operation mode of the printing apparatus is a first mode, detecting, by a temperature sensor, temperature of heat emitted by an external heater externally installed and configured to heating the medium, and executing processing in relation to an adjustment of the external heater based on the detected temperature. 
     According to this configuration, processing in relation to the external heater is executed based on the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater, which is detected by the temperature sensor, and thus, the adjustment of the external heater is facilitated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a state of the installation of an afterheater and a temperature sensor. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of temperature change appropriate data and temperature change inappropriate data. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a flowchart illustrating another operation of the printer. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating another example of temperature change appropriate data and temperature change inappropriate data. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system in a modification example. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system  200 . 
     In description using  FIG. 1 , as shown by arrows, a direction toward the left side in the figure will be referred to as a direction toward a “front side”. Further, a direction toward the right side in the figure will be referred to as a direction toward a “rear side”. Further, a direction toward the upside in the figure will be referred to as a direction toward an “upside”. Further, a direction toward the downside in the figure will be referred to as a “downside”. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the printing system  200  includes a printer  1  (the printing apparatus) and an external heater  9 . 
     The printer  1  is an apparatus configured to print characters, images, and the like by ejecting inks onto a medium M (the medium) by means of an ink jet method, and is a large format printer that executes printing on the medium M of a relatively large size. In the present embodiment, the medium M is a medium having a width of, for example, approximately 64 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the printer  1  includes a pedestal  2  and a body  3 . This pedestal is provided, at its bottom end, with a plurality of casters. The body  3  is supported by the pedestal  2  and is formed in an approximately rectangular solid shape. 
     The printer  1  includes a transport unit  4 , and this transport unit  4  transports the medium M by means of a roll-to-roll method. 
     The transport unit  4  includes a feeding section  41  and a winding section  42 . The feeding section  41  feeds the medium M from a rolled object R 1  toward the body  3 . This rolled object R 1  is an object obtained by winding the medium M of a long size so as to allow the medium M to be formed in a roll shape. The winding section  42  winds the medium M having been fed by the feeding section  41 . 
     Further, the transport unit  4  includes a transport roller twin  43 . This transport roller twin  43  transports the medium M in a state in which the transport roller twin  43  pinches the medium M, on a transport path between the feeding section  41  and the winding section  42 . The transport roller twin  43  includes a transport roller  431  and a transport roller  432 . The transport roller  431  is disposed on the downside of the transport path and is configured to be rotated. The transport roller  432  is disposed on the upside of the transport path and is configured to be rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller  431 . The transport roller twin  43  allows the rotations of the transport roller  431  and the transport roller  432  to transport the medium M. 
     Further, the transport unit  4  includes the winding section  42  configured to wind the medium M having been subjected to printing and having been discharged from a discharge outlet disposed on the front side of the body  3 , so as to allow the medium M to form a rolled object R 2 . 
     The printer  1  includes a printing unit  5 , and this printing unit  5  prints characters, images, and the like by ejecting inks onto the medium M. 
     The printing unit  5  includes a carriage  52 , and this carriage  52  reciprocates in a main-scanning direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the medium M (i.e., a direction orthogonal to the paper face in  FIG. 1 ) along a guide shaft  51 . This guide shaft  51  is installed across the inside of the body  3 . In the carriage  52 , an ink jet head  53  is mounted so as to face the medium M being transported in the transport direction. The ink jet head  53  includes a plurality of nozzles that allow inks supplied from unillustrated ink cartridges be ejected through the nozzles themselves. While the carriage  52  is moved in the main-scanning direction, the printing unit  5  executes printing onto the medium M by allowing the inks to be ejected through the nozzles of the ink jet head  53 . 
     There is provided a support member  60  between the feeding section  41  and the winding section  42 . The support member  60  includes a support face  60   a , and this support face  60   a  supports the medium M in such a way that medium M is formed so as to be bent and protrude toward the upside. The support member  60  is constituted by allowing a plurality of members each having a given shape and having been formed through a bending process of a plate material, such as a sheet metal, to be assembled and secured. 
     The support member  60  includes a feeding support section  61 , a printing support section  62 , and a discharging support section  63 . The feeding section  61  supports the medium M having been fed from the rolled object R 1 , on the upstream side of the printing unit  5  in the transport path. The printing support section  62  supports a portion that is provided at a position facing the printing unit  5  and that is to be a printed area of the medium M. The discharging support section  63  supports the medium M having been subjected to printing, on the downstream side of the printing unit  5  in the transport path. 
     The feeding support section  61  includes a support face  61   a , and this support face  61   a  includes a transport face having a slope ascending toward the downstream side in the transport path. The medium M having been fed from the rolled object R 1  and being in a state of being supported by the support face  61   a  is transported to the printing unit  5 . 
     Further, the printing support section  62  includes a support face  62   a . This support face  62   a  is disposed in a state of allowing a gap to be formed between the support face  62   a  itself and a nozzle formed face of the ink jet head  53 . The support face  62   a  is disposed parallel to this nozzle formed face. 
     The discharging support section  63  forms a transport path between the printing unit  5  and the wining section  42 . The discharging support section  63  descends toward the downstream side in this transport path and simultaneously therewith extends while being bent and protruding toward the outside (the front side in  FIG. 1 ). The discharging support section  63  includes a support face  63   a , and this support face  63   a  supports the medium M in a state in which the support face  63   a  causes the medium M to be bent. The support sections  61 ,  62 , and  63  are disposed in a state in which their respective support faces  61   a ,  62   a , and  63   a  are formed in a way that allows any adjacent ones of the support faces  61   a ,  62   a , and  63   a  to be coupled to each other in an approximately flush and seamless state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a heating unit  7  is provided on the backside of the support member  60 , and this heating unit  7  heats the support face  60   a.    
     More specifically, a preheater  71  is disposed on the back side of the feeding support section  61  to heat the support face  61   a . The preheater  71  preheats the medium M on the support face  61   a . Further, a platen heater  72  is disposed on the back side of the printing support section  62  to heat the support face  62   a , facing the printing unit  5 . Further, an afterheater  73  (the heater) is disposed on the back side of the disposing support section  63  to heat the support face  63   a . The afterheater  73  dries the inks by heating the medium M on the support face  63   a . The heating unit  7  configured in this way has the function of heating the medium M in a way that allows the inks to be promptly dried and fixated on the medium M so as to allow the occurrence of bleed, blurring, and the like to be reduced, and thereby enhancing the printing quality. 
     In the present embodiment, a temperature sensor  102  is provided to detect temperature of the afterheater  73  on at least the back side of the discharging support section  63 , together with the afterheater  73 , which heats the support face  63   a.    
       FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a state of the installation of the afterheater  73  and the temperature sensor  102 . 
     In the present embodiment, the afterheater  73  is constituted by a tube heater, and is bonded to the back side of the support face  63   a  via aluminum tape or the like. Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the afterheater  73  is disposed so as to be capable of heating the entire area of the support face  63   a . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the temperature sensor  102  is bonded to the back side of the support face  63   a  between adjacent heating portions of the afterheater  73 , and a plurality of the afterheaters  73  are disposed so as to be capable of detecting the temperature of the afterheater  73 . 
     Note that, although a tube heater is exemplified as the afterheater  73 , the afterheater  73  is not limited to the tube heater, and any type of heater capable of heating the support face  63   a  can be employed. 
     Returning to the description using  FIG. 1 , a tension applying mechanism  81  is provided on the downside of a downstream-side end portion of the discharging support section  63 . This tension applying section  81  applies tension to the medium M. Further, the tension applying section  81  includes a tension roller  82 , and this tension roller  82  is in contact with the medium M to apply a pressing pressure to the medium M between the discharging support section  63  and the winding section  42 . The tension roller  82  is rotatably supported by the tip end portions of a pair of arm members whose base end portions are pivotably supported by the pedestal  2 . Further, the tension roller  82  has a shaft length longer than the width of the medium M in a width direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper face of  FIG. 1 ). The medium M in a state of being subjected to tension equivalent to the weight of the tension roller  82  is wound around the rolled object R 2  on the downstream side of the discharging support section  63 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an external heater  9  is installed on the front side of the printer  1 . 
     The external heater  9  is constituted by, for example, a halogen heater, and includes a heating face  91 . From this heating face  91 , heat is emitted, and the external heater  9  is installed so as to allow the heating face  91  to face the support face  63   a  of the printer  1 . In the present embodiment, the external heater  9  is supplied with electric power from the printer  1  via a cable K 1 , and emits heat toward the support face  63   a  on the basis of the supplied electric power. Thus, the medium M on the support face  63   a  is heated by the external heater  9  and the afterheater  73 . 
     Further, the printer  1  is supplied with alternative-current electric power from a commercial alternative-current power source  10  via a cable K 2 , and allows an unillustrated power supply circuit to execute a rectification process, a smoothing process, a voltage conversion process, and the like, and thereby generate direct-current electric power, and the printer  1  executes operation on the basis of the generated direct-current electric power. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printer  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the printer  1  includes a control unit  100 , a storage unit  101 , the transport unit  4 , the printing unit  5 , the heating unit  7 , the temperature sensor  102 , and an input unit  103 , a display unit  104  (the reporting unit and the instructing unit), a communication unit  105 , and a power supply unit  106 . 
     The control unit  100  includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, other control circuits, and the like, and controls individual portions of the printer  1 . 
     The storage unit  101  includes nonvolatile memory devices, such as EEPROM and a hard disc, and stores various kinds of data therein in a rewritable way. Further, the storage unit  101  stores therein temperature change database  101   a . This temperature change database  101   a  will be described later. 
     The transport unit  4  includes the above-described feeding section  41 , winding section  42 , and transport roller twin  43 , and other components in relation to the transport of the medium M. The transport unit  4  transports the medium M under the control of the control unit  100 . 
     The printing unit  5  includes the above-described ink jet head  53 , a driving circuit for driving the ink jet head  53 , the above-described carriage  52 , a scanning motor for allowing the carriage  52  to scan in a main-scanning direction intersecting with the transport direction, a motor driver for driving the scanning motor, and other components in relation to the printing on the medium M. The printing unit  5  prints characters, images, and the like on the medium M under the control of the control unit  100 . 
     The heating section  7  includes the above-described preheater  71 , platen heater  72 , and afterheater  73 , and heats the medium M being transported under the control of the control unit  100 . As described above, the preheater  71  preheats the medium M on the support face  61   a . Further, the platen heater  72  heats the medium M on the support face  62   a . Moreover, the afterheater  73  heats the medium M on the support face  63   a.    
     The temperature sensor  102  is a sensor for detecting, at least, temperature of the afterheater  73 , and is disposed on the backside of the support face  63   a  so as to be capable of detecting the temperature of the afterheater  73 . The temperature sensor  102  outputs a signal indicating the detected temperature (for example, a voltage corresponding to the detected temperature) to the control unit  100 . 
     The input unit  103  includes input means provided in the printer  1 , such as operation switches or a touch panel; detects user&#39;s operations using the input means; and outputs the detected operations to the control unit  100 . The control unit  100  executes processes corresponding to the respective operations using the input means on the basis of inputs from the input unit  103 . 
     The display unit  104  includes a plurality of LEDs, a display panel, and the like, and executes the light-on/off of the LEDs in accordance with a predetermined specification, the display of information on the display panel, and the like under the control of the control unit  100 . In the present embodiment, through the display of information, the display unit  104  functions as a reporting unit for reporting information to a user. Further, when the displayed information is information indicating a predetermined instruction, the display unit  104  functions as an instructing unit for issuing of an instruction to a user. Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the light on/off of the LEDs in accordance with a predetermined specification is also equivalent to the display of information. 
     The communication unit  105  communicates with, for example, a host computer (not illustrated) for controlling the operation of the printing by the printer  1  in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit  100 . 
     The power supply unit  106  is connected to the commercial alternative-current power source  10  via the cable K 2 ; generates direct-current electric power by executing processes, such as a rectification process, a smoothing process, and a voltage conversion process, on alternative-current electric power supplied from the commercial alternative-current power source  10 ; and supplies the generated direct-current electric power to individual portions of the printer  1 . The printer  1  operates on the basis of the supplied direct-current electric power. Further, the power supply unit  106  supplies driving electric power to the external heater  9  via the cable K 1  under the control of the control unit  100 . Here, the external heater  9  may be supplied with the alternative-current electric power as it is, or may be supplied with direct-current electric power resulting from rectifying the alternative-current electric power. 
     As described above, the printer  1  allows the inks having been ejected on the medium M to be fixated on the medium M by allowing the medium M to be dried by the heating of the medium M by the preheater  71 , the platen heater  72 , and the afterheater  73 . In this case, however, even after the heating by the afterheater  73 , the inks having been ejected on the medium M may not be perfectly dried because of the difference in the kind of used inks, and the like. In such a case, as a result, a relatively long period (for example, approximately one day) is needed until the perfect drying of the inks. 
     Thus, there occurs a case where, in order to shorten the period until the perfect drying of the inks, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a user installs the external heater  9  at the afterheater  73  side of the printer  1 , and heats the medium M while concurrently using the external heater  9 . In this case, in order to prevent the degradation of the printing quality due to overheating by the external heater  9 , it is required to appropriately adjust the output, the installation position and the like of the external heater  9 . Heretofore, however, conventional methods for adjusting the external heater  9  tend to depend on user&#39;s feeling and experiences, and thus, the adjustment of the external heater  9  has not sometimes been facilitated. 
     Further, there occurs a case where the printer  1  is configured such that, in order to ensure the safety, the prevention of the influence due to the rising of temperature, and the like, a temperature at which the operation of the printer  1  is caused to be stopped (this temperature being expressed as “an abnormal temperature” hereinafter) is set in advance, and the operation of the printer  1  is caused to be stopped when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature (the predetermined value). In this case, however, when, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a user heats the medium M while concurrently using the external heater  9 , the temperature of the afterheater  73  is highly likely to rise above the abnormal temperature. Thus, when the user concurrently uses the external heater  9 , the operation of the printer  1  is likely to be stopped due to the occurrence of the event in which the temperature of the afterheater  73  rises above the abnormal temperature. This leads to the degradation of the convenience for the user when the user concurrently uses the external heater  9 . 
     Thus, the printer  1  according to the present embodiment executes operation described below. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer  1  according to the present embodiment. 
     In description using  FIG. 4 , it is assumed that the printer  1  does not execute the operation of printing, and does not execute at least the heating by the afterheater  73 . 
     The control unit  100  of the printer  1  determines whether or not a calibration mode (the first mode) is to be started (step SA 1 ). The calibration mode is an operation mode which is provided in the printer  1  and in which processing in relation to the adjustment of the external heater  9  is executed on the basis of the temperature of heat emitted by the external heater  9 . In the present embodiment, the processing in relation to the adjustment of the external heater  9  means, as shown in description below, processing for issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9 . 
     For example, upon detection of an operation for instructing the start of the calibration mode through an input to the input means provided in the input unit  103 , the control unit  100  determines that the calibration mode is to be started (step SA 1 : YES). 
     When having determined that the calibration mode is to be started (step SA 1 : YES), the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to the calibration mode (step SA 2 ). 
     Next, after the movement of the operation mode of the printer  1  to the calibration mode, the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to display information for instructing the turning-on of the external heater  9  (step SA 3 ). Here, the turning-on of the external heater  9  does not mean the turning-on of electric power for the external heater  9 , but means the turning-on of the generation of heat by the external heater  9 . 
     In this way, in the case where the operation mode of the printer  1  is in the calibration mode, the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to display the information for instructing the turning-on of the external heater  9 . Thus, the occurrence of a situation where the control unit  100  executes the calibration mode in a state in which the external heater  9  is not turned on by a user is prevented. 
     Here, the control unit  100  may be configured to allow the display in step SA 3  to be performed until the termination of the calibration mode or during a predetermined period from the start of the calibration mode. 
     Next, the control unit  100  retrieves a pair of temperature change appropriate data and temperature change inappropriate data from the temperature change database  101   a  stored by the storage unit  101  (step SA 4 ). The temperature change database  101   a  is a database in which the pair of the temperature change appropriate data and the temperature change inappropriate data is stored. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating an example of the pair of the temperature change appropriate data and the temperature change inappropriate data. In  FIG. 5 , the vertical axis indicates temperature. Further, in  FIG. 5 , the horizontal axis indicates time. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , as compared with temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1 , temperature change appropriate data TD 1  is data indicating a temperature change in which the rising of temperature with time elapse is moderate and gradually becomes close to a target temperature. This temperature change appropriate data TD 1  indicates a temperature change based on an assumption that the transport of the medium M is made. In general, it is known that the rising of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102  reaches a plateau at a certain temperature because the transfer of the medium M causes a portion included in the medium M and having been heated by the heat emitted by the external heater  9  to be moved to the outside of a detection range of the temperature sensor  102 . For this reason, the temperature at which the rising of temperature reaches a plateau is set as a target temperature, and the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  indicates a temperature change gradually becoming close to this target temperature. 
     Here, the target temperature is a temperature which, for the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 , is recommended by actors of a manufacturer of the printer  1 , and at which the printing quality is not degraded even when the external heater  9  is concurrently used. This target temperature is calculated through tests, simulations, and the like having been made in advance. Note that the target temperature is a temperature different from a preset temperature and an abnormal temperature that will be described later, and the target temperature is absolutely a temperature that is set as a reference relative to the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  in the calibration mode in which the operation of printing is not executed. 
     In this way, the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  is data indicating a temperature change gradually becoming close to the target temperature. Thus, in the present embodiment, the status in which the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  approaches the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  indicates that the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is an appropriate temperature change that does not degrade the printing quality even when the external heater  9  is concurrently used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , as compared with the temperature change appropriate data TD 1 , the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  is data indicating a temperature change in which the rising of temperature with time elapse is steep and rises above the target temperature without gradually becoming close to the target temperature. This temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  indicates, just like the temperature change appropriate data TD 1 , a temperature change based on an assumption that the transfer of the medium M is made. That is, this temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  is data for which it is taken into consideration that heat is taken by the transfer of the medium M. The temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1 , however, indicates a temperature change in which the temperature of heat rises without gradually becoming close to the target temperature. This shows that, although heat is taken by the transfer of the medium M, the temperature of heat rises because the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is too high. 
     As described above, the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  is data indicating a temperature change in which the rising of temperature with time elapse is steep, and rises above the target temperature. Thus, in the present embodiment, the status in which the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  approaches the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  indicates that the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is a temperature change having a probability that the printing quality is degraded when the external heater  9  is concurrently used. 
     Here, the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  are data having been obtained through tests, simulations, and the like having been made in advance. 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , upon retrieval of the pair of the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  from the temperature change database  101   a , the control unit  100  starts the monitoring of the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  on the basis of temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102  (step SA 5 ). As described above, the temperature sensor  102  is a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the afterheater  73 . That is, the temperature sensor  102  indirectly detects the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  by detecting the temperature of the afterheater  73 . 
     The control unit  100  monitors the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  during a predetermined period (for example, one minute). 
     Next, the control unit  100  determines whether or not the predetermined period has passed from the start of the monitoring of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  (step SA 6 ). For example, the control unit  100  counts a unit period using an unillustrated timer, and in the case where counted unit periods are larger than or equal to predetermined unit periods, the control unit  100  determines that the predetermined period has passed from the start of the monitoring of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 . In contrast, in the case where the counted unit periods are smaller than the predetermined unit periods, the control unit  100  determines that the predetermined period has not yet passed from the start of the monitoring of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 . 
     When having determined that the predetermined period has not yet passed from the start of the monitoring of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  (step SA 6 : NO), the control unit  100  returns the process flow to step SA 5  and then continues the monitoring of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 . 
     In contrast, when having determined that the predetermined period has passed from the start of the monitoring of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  (step SA 6 : YES), the control unit  100  determines whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary (step SA 7 ). 
     In step SA 7 , the control unit  100  determines whether or not the control of the external heater  9  is necessary on the basis of the temperature that is related to the heat emitted by the external heater  9  and that has been monitored during the predetermined period as well as the pair of the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1 , which has been retrieved in step SA 4 . 
     Here, the process in step SA 7  will be described below in detail using a plurality of specific examples. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     First, example 1 will be described. 
     Here, in example 1, it is assumed that the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  during the predetermined period is a change of temperature that rises with time elapse. 
     The control unit  100  obtains a temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  during the predetermined period on the basis of a monitored temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 . Next, the control unit  100  calculates the degree (for example, gradient) of the temperature change relative to the passed period of time. Further, the control unit  100  compares the degree of the calculated temperature change, the degree of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 1 , and the degree of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1 . Further, in the case where the calculated degree is closer relative to the degree of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  than relative to the degree of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1 , the control unit  100  determines that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is unnecessary. In contrast, in the case where the calculated degree is closer relative to the degree of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  than relative to the degree of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 1 , the control unit  100  determines that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary. 
     Through such a determination as to which of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  and the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is closer to, the control unit  100  determines whether or not the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is likely to rise above the target temperature, and thereby determines whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Next, example 2 will be described. 
     The control unit  100  determines whether or not a temperature indicating a value higher than or equal to the target temperature has been detected during a predetermined period while the monitoring is executed, on the basis of the monitored temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 . When having detected a temperature indicating a value higher than the target temperature during the predetermined period, the control unit  100  determines that the temperature change obtained on the basis of the monitored temperature is closer relative to the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  than relative to the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 1 , the control unit  100  determines that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary. In contrast, when having not detected any temperature indicating a value higher than the target temperature during the predetermined period, the control unit  100  determines that the temperature change obtained on the basis of the monitored temperature is closer relative to the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  than relative to the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1 , the control unit  100  determines that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is unnecessary. 
     Through such a determination as to whether or not the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  has risen above the target temperature, the control unit  100  determines which of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  and the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is closer to, and thereby determines whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary. 
     Here, the control unit  100  may be configured to determine whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary, in view of both of example 1 and example 2. 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , when having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary (step SA 7 : YES), the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to perform issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9  (step SA 8 ). For example, the control unit  100  instructs the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9  by displaying a message such as “Move external heater to a position further distant from printer, please”. Further, for example, the control unit  100  instructs the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  by displaying a message such as “Decrease output of external heater, please”. Note that, in step SA 8 , the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to perform issuing of an instructing for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9 , and thus, the display unit  104  functions as the instructing unit. 
     As described above, when having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary, the control unit  100  instructs at least any of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9 . Thus, a user is able to recognize whether or not each of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9  is appropriate, and thus, the user is able to easily adjust the external heater  9  without depending on the feeling, experiences, and the like of the user. 
     Note that, when having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary (step SA 7 : YES), the control unit  100  may allow the display unit  104  to report information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range. Here, the acceptable range indicates a range within which the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is lower than or equal to the target temperature. For example, the control unit  100  performs lighting-on of one of the LEDs in accordance with a predetermined specification and thereby reports information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range. With this configuration, upon execution of such reporting by the display unit  104 , a user is able to recognize that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range, provided that the user is able to recognize that the lighting-on of the LED in accordance with a predetermined specification indicates that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range. Thus, the user is able to recognize whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is appropriate, and thus is able to easily adjust the external heater  9  without depending on the feeling, experiences, and the like of the user. A configuration that allows such reporting to be also made when the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is likely to rise above the target temperature is also applicable. That is, the control unit  100  may be configured such that, even in the case where, actually, the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  does not rise above the target temperature, when it has been determined that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is likely to rise above the target temperature, reporting of this determination is made. With this configuration, the control unit  100  is capable of making such reporting before the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  reaches above the target temperature. 
     Note that, in this case, the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to make reporting of information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range, and thus, the display unit  104  functions as the reporting unit. 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , when having allowed the display unit  104  to perform issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9 , the control unit  100  determines whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is to be made again (step SA 9 ). 
     For example, after having displayed a message such as “Do you want readjustment of external heater?”, upon detection of a operation for instructing the execution of readjustment of the external heater  9 , the control unit  100  determines that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is to be made again (step SA 9 : YES). When having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary, the control unit  100  returns the process flow to step SA 5 . 
     In contrast, when having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is not to be made again (step SA 9 : NO), the control unit  100  determines whether or not the operation mode of the printer  1  is to be moved to an external heater mode (the second mode) (step SA 10 ). When determining whether or not the operation mode of the printer  1  is to be moved to an external heater mode, the control unit  100  waits for a reception of an instruction by a user for indicating the presence/absence of necessity of the movement to the external heater mode. Here, the external heater mode is an operation mode which is provided in the printer  1  and in which the operation of the printer  1  is not caused to be stopped even when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature. 
     For example, the control unit  100  displays a message such as “Do you want movement to external heater mode?”, and then, waits for a reception of an instruction by a user for indicating the presence/absence of necessity of the movement to the external heater mode. Further, upon reception of an instruction for indicating the presence of necessity of the movement to the external heater mode, the control unit  100  determines that the operation mode of the printer  1  is to be moved to the external heater mode (step SA 10 : YES). Further, upon reception of an instruction for indicating the absence of necessity of the movement to the external heater mode, the control unit  100  determines that the operation mode of the printer  1  is not to be moved to the external heater mode (step SA 10 : NO). 
     When having determined that the movement to the external heater mode is to be made, the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to the external heater more (step SA 11 ). 
     As described above, when, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a user heats the medium M while concurrently using the external heater  9 , the temperature of the afterheater  73  is likely to rise above the abnormal temperature, and further, in the case where the temperature of the afterheater  73  rises above the abnormal temperature during the concurrent use of the external heater  9 , the printer  1  is likely to stop its printing operation. In the case where, however, the operation mode of the printer  1  is the external heater mode, the printer  1  does not stop its operation even when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature. Thus, when a user concurrently uses the external heater  9 , the stop of the operation of the printer  1  is prevented. Further, when the external heater  9  is used, in the case where a user uses a medium having a higher heat tolerance than a pure medium, the medium having a high heat tolerance can be heated at a higher temperature than a case of the pure medium, and thus, the scope of the selection of a medium and the scope of the selection of a heating method are broadened, and the convenience for a user is increased. 
     In contrast, when having determined that the movement to the external heater mode is not to be made (step SA 10 : NO), the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to a normal mode (step SA 12 ). The normal mode is an operation mode which is provided in the printer  1  and in which the operation of the printer  1  is caused to be stopped when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature. In this way, when having determined that the movement to the external heater mode is not to be made, on the basis of the operation by a user, the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to the normal mode. Thus, when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature, the control unit  100  is capable of stopping its operation, and thus, the safety of the printer  1  is ensured. Further, the control unit  100  is also capable of preventing the influence on the printer  1  due to the rising of the temperature of the afterheater  73 . 
     Next, the operation of the printer  1  in a case where the operation of printing is involved will be described. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a flowchart of another operation of the printer  1  in the present embodiment. When compared with the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the flowchart shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrates the operation of the printer  1  in the case where the operation of printing is involved. 
     In the description using  FIGS. 6A and 6B , unlike the description using  FIG. 4 , it is assumed that the afterheater  73  executes heating in the calibration mode. 
     The control unit  100  of the printer  1  determines whether or not the operation of printing is to be started (step SB 1 ). For example, upon reception of printing data from the unillustrated host computer by the communication unit  105 , the control unit  100  determines that the operation of printing is to be started (step SB 1 : YES). 
     Next, when having determined that the operation of printing is to be started (step SB 1 : YES), the control unit  100  of the printer  1  starts the operation of printing based on the printing date (step SB 2 ). 
     Next, the control unit  100  determines whether or not a calibration mode is to be started (step SB 3 ). When having determined that the calibration mode is not to be started, the control unit  100  moves the process flow to step SB 13 . A process of step SB 13  will be described later. In contrast, when having determined that the calibration mode is to be started (step SB 3 : YES), the control unit  100  moves the operation of the printer  1  to the calibration mode (step SB 4 ). 
     Next, after the movement of the operation mode of the printer  1  to the calibration mode, the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to display information for instructing turning-on of the external heater  9  (step SB 5 ). With this operation, the same advantageous effect as the above-described advantageous effect is brought about. 
     Next, the control unit  100  retrieves a pair of temperature change appropriate data and temperature change inappropriate data from the temperature change database  101   a  stored by the storage unit  101  (step SB 6 ). Here, the pair of temperature change appropriate data and temperature change inappropriate data that is retrieved from the temperature change database  101   a  by the control unit  100  is different from the pair of the two kinds of data having been retrieved in step SA 4  in the flowchart of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of the pair of the temperature change appropriate data and the temperature change inappropriate data. In  FIG. 7 , the vertical axis indicates temperature. Further, in  FIG. 7 , the horizontal axis indicates time. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , as compared with temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2 , temperature change appropriate data TD 2  is data indicating a temperature change in which the rising of temperature with time elapse is moderate and gradually becomes close to a preset temperature. Note that the temperature change appropriate data TD 2  is data different from the temperature change appropriate data TD 1 , and is data indicating a temperature change for which the heating by the afterheater  73  is taken into consideration. This temperature change appropriate data TD 2  indicates a temperature change based on an assumption that the transport of the medium M is made. In general, the rising of the temperature of the afterheater  73 , which is detected by the temperature sensor  102 , reaches a plateau at a certain temperature because part of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  and part of the heat of the afterheater  73  are taken by the transfer of the medium M. Thus, this temperature at which the rising of temperature reaches a plateau is set as a preset temperature, and the temperature change appropriate data TD 2  indicates a temperature change gradually becoming close to this preset temperature. 
     The preset temperature is a temperature that, for the temperature of the afterheater  73 , is set for a case where the medium M is heated, and that is recommended by actors of a manufacturer of the printer  1  for the case where the medium M is heated. This preset temperature is determined through tests, simulations, and the like having been made in advance. 
     The temperature change appropriate data TD 2  indicates data indicating a temperature change gradually becoming close to the preset temperature. Thus, in the present embodiment, the status in which the temperature change of the afterheater  73  involving the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  approaches the temperature change appropriate data TD 2  indicates that the temperature change based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102  is an appropriate temperature change that does not degrade the printing quality even when the external heater  9  is concurrently used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , as compared with the temperature change appropriate data TD 2 , the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  is data indicating a temperature change in which the rising of temperature with time elapse is steep; the rising of temperature rises above the preset temperature along with time elapse; and further, the rising of temperature becomes close to the abnormal temperature along with time elapse. Here, the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  is data different from the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1 , and is data indicating a temperature change for which the heating by the afterheater  73  is taking into consideration. This temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  indicates a temperature change based on an assumption that the transport of the medium M is made, just like the temperature change appropriate data TD 2 . That is, this temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  is data for which it is taken into consideration that heat is taken by the transport of the medium M. The temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2 , however, indicates a temperature change in which the temperature of the heat rises without gradually becoming close to the preset temperature. This indicates that, although heat is taken by the transfer of the medium M, the temperature of the heat rises because the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is too high. 
     As described above, the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  is data indicating a temperature change in which the rising of temperature with time elapse is steep; rises above the preset temperature; and becomes close to the abnormal temperature. Thus, in the present embodiment, the status in which the temperature change of the afterheater  73  involving the temperature change of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  approaches the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  indicates that the temperature change based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102  is a temperature change having a probability that the printing quality is degraded when the external heater  9  is concurrently used. 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , upon retrieval of a pair of the temperature change appropriate data TD 2  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  from the temperature change database  101   a , the control unit  100  allows the temperature sensor  102  to start the monitoring of the temperature of the afterheater  73  (step SB 7 ). The control unit  100  monitors the temperature of the afterheater  73  during a predetermined period (for example, one minute). As described above, the temperature sensor  102  indirectly detects the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  by detecting the temperature of the afterheater  73 . That is, in the case where the external heater  9  emits heat, the detection of the temperature of the afterheater  73  by the temperature sensor  102  is equivalent to the detection of the temperature for the external heater  9  by the temperature sensor  102 . 
     Next, the control unit  100  determines whether or not the predetermined period has passed from the start of the monitoring of the heat of the afterheater  73  (step SB 8 ). When having determined that the predetermined period has not yet passed from the start of the monitoring of heat of the afterheater  73  (step SB 8 : NO), the control unit  100  returns the process flow to step SB 7  and then continues the monitoring of the heat of the afterheater  73 . 
     In contrast, when having determined that the predetermined period has passed from the start of the monitoring of the heat of the afterheater  73  (step SB 8 : YES), the control unit  100  determines whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary (step SB 9 ). 
     The control unit  100  determines whether or not the control of the external heater  9  is necessary on the basis of the temperature of the afterheater  73 , which has been monitored during the predetermined period in step SB 9 , and the pair of the temperature change appropriate data TD 2  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2 , which has been retrieved in step SB 6 . 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , when having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary (step SB 9 : YES), the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to perform issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9  (step SB 10 ). In this case as well, the same advantage effect as the above-described advantageous effect is brought about. 
     Note that, when having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is necessary (step SB 9 : YES), the control unit  100  may allow the display unit  104  to report information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range. In this case as well, the same advantage effect as the above-described advantageous effect is brought about. 
     When having allowed the display unit  104  to perform issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the installation position of the external heater  9 , the control unit  100  determines whether or not the adjustment of the external heater  9  is to be made again (step SB 11 ). 
     When having determined that the adjustment of the heater  9  is to be made again (step SB 11 : YES), the control unit  100  returns the process flow to step SB 9 . In contrast, when having determined that the adjustment of the external heater  9  is not to be made again (step SB 11 : NO), the control unit  100  terminates the calibration mode (step SB 12 ), and allows the temperature sensor  102  to monitor the temperature of the afterheater  73  (step SB 13 ). 
     Next, the control unit  100  determines whether or not the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the preset temperature on the basis of the monitored temperature of the afterheater  73  (step SB 14 ). 
     When having determined that the temperature of the afterheater  73  does not rise above the preset temperature (step SB 14 : NO), the control unit  100  continues the process of step SB 14 . In contrast, when having determined that the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the preset temperature (step SB 14 : YES), the control unit  100  stops the heating by the afterheater  73  (step SB 15 ). Further, the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to report information indicating that the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the preset temperature. 
     Next, after having stopped the heating by the afterheater  73 , the control unit  100  determines whether or not the temperature of the afterheater  73  has fallen below the preset temperature on the basis of the temperature of the afterheater  73 , which is detected by the temperature sensor  102  (step SB 16 ). 
     When having determined that the temperature of the afterheater  73  has fallen below the preset temperature (step SB 16 : YES), the control unit  100  resumes the heating by the afterheater  73  (step SB 17 ), and then moves the process flow to step SB 14 . That is, the control unit  100  repeats the stop and resumption of the heating by the afterheater  73  so as to allow the temperature of the afterheater  73  to reach the preset temperature. Further, the control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to stop the reporting of the information indicating that the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen the preset temperature. 
     In contrast, when having determined that the temperature of the afterheater  73  does not fallen below the preset temperature (step SB 16 : NO), the control unit  100  determines whether or not the temperature of the afterheater  73  is likely to rise above the abnormal temperature on the basis of the temperature of afterheater  73 , which is detected by the temperature sensor  102  (step SB 18 ). 
     For example, the control unit  100  obtains the temperature change of the afterheater  73  on the basis of the monitored temperature of the afterheater  73 . Further, the control unit  100  obtains the pair of temperature change appropriate data TD 2  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  from the temperature change database  101   a  stored by the storage unit  101 ; refers to the obtained pair of the two kinds of data; takes into consideration the degrees of the temperature changes of the obtained pair of the two kinds of data; and thereby determines which of the temperature change indicated by the temperature change appropriate data TD 2  and the temperature change indicated by the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  the temperature change of the afterheater  73  is closer to. Further, in the case where the temperature change of the afterheater  73  is closer to the temperature change appropriate data TD 2 , the control unit  100  determines that the temperature of the afterheater  73  is unlikely to rise above the abnormal temperature. In contrast, in the case where the temperature change of the afterheater  73  is closer to the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2 , the control unit  100  determines that the temperature of the afterheater  73  is likely to rise above the abnormal temperature. 
     When having determined that the monitored temperature of the afterheater  73  is unlikely to rise above the abnormal temperature (step SB 18 : NO), the control unit  100  returns the process flow to step SB 16 . In contrast, when having determined that the monitored temperature of the afterheater  73  is likely to rise above the abnormal temperature (step SB 18 : YES), the control unit  100  determines whether or not the operation mode of the printer  1  is to be moved to the external heater mode (step SB 19 ). 
     When having determined that the operation mode of the printer  1  is to be moved to the external heater mode (step SB 19 : YES), the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to the external heater mode (step SB 20 ). 
     Since the operation mode of the printer  1  is allowed to be moved to the external heater mode in this way, in the case where the operation of printing is executed, the stop of the operation of the printer  1  is prevented when a user concurrently uses the external heater  9 , and thus, the convenience for the user in the case where the external heater  9  is used is increased. 
     In contrast, when having determined that the operation mode of the printer  1  is not to be moved to the external heater mode (step SB 19 : NO), the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to the normal mode (step SB 21 ). In this way, since, when having determined that the movement to the external heater mode is not to be made, on the basis of an operation by a user, the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to the normal mode, the operation of the printer  1  is caused to be stopped when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature, and thus, the safety of the printer  1  is ensured. 
     Here, the control unit  100  may be configured to, when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature and the control unit  100  stops the operation of the printer  1 , allow the power supply unit  106  to control the electric power supplied to the external heater  9 . For example, when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature and the control unit  100  stops the operation of the printer  1 , the control unit  100  stops the supply of the electric power to the external heater  9 . Upon stop of the operation of the printer  1 , the transfer of the medium M is also stopped, and thus, as a result, the external heater  9  continues the heating of the medium M that remains stopped on the support face  63   a  until the start of the operation of the printer  1 . Here, when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature and the control unit  100  stops the operation of the printer  1 , the control unit  100  allows the power supply unit  106  to stop the supply of the electric power to the external heater  9 . Thus, the external heater  9  does not continue the heating of the medium M that remains stopped on the support face  63   a  until the start of the operation of the printer  1 , and therefore, the degradation of the printing quality is prevented. 
     Further, the control by the power supply unit  106  on the supply of the electric power to the external heater  9  is not limited to the above case where the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature and the control unit  100  stops the operation of the printer  1 . For example, when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature, the control unit  100  may stop the heating by the afterheater  73  and simultaneously therewith may control the supply of the electric power to the external heater  9 . With this configuration, excessive heating by the external heater  9  is prevented. 
     As described above, the printer  1  is a printing apparatus configured to perform printing on the medium M (the medium). The printer  1  includes the temperature sensor  102  configured to detect temperature, and the control unit  100  configured to, when the operation mode of the printer  1  is the calibration mode (the first mode), allow the temperature sensor  102  to detect the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 , and execute processing in relation to the adjustment of the external heater  9  on the basis of the detected temperature. 
     With this configuration, the processing in relation to the adjustment of the external heater  9  is executed on the basis of the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 , which is detected by the temperature sensor  102 , and thus, a user is able to easily adjust the external heater  9  without depending on the feeling, experiences, and the like of the user. 
     Further, the printer  1  includes the afterheater  73  (the heater) configured to heat the medium M. The temperature sensor  102  is a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the afterheater  73 . 
     Thus, the temperature sensor  102  configured to detect the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the afterheater  73  included by the printer  1 . For this reason, it is unnecessary to newly install a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 . Accordingly, the increase in the cost of the printing system  200  is retained. Further, it is unnecessary to externally install a temperature sensor, and thus, the simplification of the configuration of the printing system  200  is achieved. 
     Further, the printer  1  includes the display unit  104  (the reporting unit). The control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to report information indicating whether or not the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is within an acceptable range, on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102 . For example, the display unit  104  reports the information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range by performing lighting-on of one of the LEDs in accordance with a predetermined specification. Further, for example, the display unit  104  reports the information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is within the acceptable range by performing lighting-off of the LED in accordance with the predetermined specification. 
     With this configuration, information indicating whether or not the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is within an acceptable range is reported by the reporting unit, and thus, a user is able to recognize whether or not the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is within an acceptable range. Thus, the convenience for the user when the external heater  9  is concurrently used is increased. 
     Further, the printer  1  includes the display unit  104  (the reporting unit) configured to perform issuing of an instruction in relation to the adjustment of the external heater  9 . The control unit  100  allows the display unit  104  to perform issuing of an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the position of the installation of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9 , on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102 . 
     With this configuration, the display unit  104  issues an instruction for instructing at least any of the adjustment of the position of the installation of the external heater  9  and the adjustment of the output of the external heater  9 , and thus, a user is able to easily adjust the external heater  9  without depending on the feeling, experiences, and the like of the user. 
     Further, based on the temperature having been detected by the temperature sensor  102 , when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature (the predetermined threshold value), the control unit  100  causes the operation of the printer  1  to be stopped. 
     With this configuration, when the temperature of the afterheater  73  included in the printer  1  has risen above the abnormal temperature, the operation of the printer  1  is caused to stop, and thus, the safety of the printer  1  is ensured. 
     Further, the control unit  100  waits for a reception of an instruction indicating whether or not the operation mode of the printer  1  is to be moved to the external heater mode (the second mode) on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102 . Upon reception of an instruction for instructing the movement of the operation mode of the printer  1  to the external heater mode, the control unit  100  moves the operation mode of the printer  1  to the external heater mode that does not cause the operation of the printer  1  to be stopped even when the temperature of the afterheater  73  has risen above the abnormal temperature. 
     With this configuration, when an instruction for instructing the movement to the external heater mode has been received, the operation of the printer  1  is not caused to be stopped even when the temperature of the afterheater  73  included in the printer  1  has risen above the abnormal temperature. Thus, even when printing is performed while the external heater  9  is concurrently used, the stop of the operation of the printer  1  is prevented, and the convenience for a user when the external heater  9  is concurrently used is increased. 
     Further, the printer  1  includes the power supply unit  106  configured to supply electric power to the external heater  9 . The control unit  100  controls the electric power supplied by the power supply unit  106 , on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102 . 
     With this configuration, the electric power supplied by the power supply unit  106  is controlled on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102 , and thus, the control of the output of the external heater  9  based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor  102  is achieved. Thus, excessive heating by the external heater  9  and the influence of the heating by the external heater  9  on the printer  1  are prevented. 
     MODIFICATION EXAMPLE 
     Next, a modification example of the printing system  200  will be described. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing system  200  in this modification example. 
     In the description below, constituent elements similar to constituent elements of the printing system  200  shown in  FIG. 1  are denoted by the same reference signs as those of the constituent elements of the printing system  200  shown in  FIG. 1 , and thereby will be omitted from detailed description. 
     As obviously understood from the comparison of the printing system  200  shown in  FIG. 8  with the printing system  200  shown in  FIG. 1 , there is a difference in a connection configuration in relation to the supply of electric power for the printer  1  and the external heater  9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the printer  1  is connected to a switch circuit  11  via a cable K 4 . Further, the external heater  9  is connected to the switch circuit  11  via a cable K 3 . The switch circuit  11  is a circuit capable of at least turning on/off of the supply of electric power to the external heater  9 , and is connected to the commercial alternative-current power source  10  via a cable K 5 . 
     The printer  1  is supplied with electric power from the commercial alternative-current power source  10  via the cable K 5 , the switch circuit  11 , and the cable K 4 . Here, in the case where the switch circuit  11  is configured to execute a rectification process, a smoothing process, a voltage conversion process, and the like, the printer  1  is supplied with direct-current electric power. Further, when the switch circuit  11  is turned on, the external heater  9  is supplied with electric power from the commercial alternative-current power source  10  via the cable K 5 , the switch circuit  11 , and the cable K 3 . Here, in the case where the switch circuit  11  is configured to execute a rectification process, a smoothing process, a voltage conversion process, and the like, the external heater  9  is supplied with direct-current electric power. 
     In the case where the printer  1  is configured to control turning on/off of the switch circuit  11 , for the supply of electric power to the external heater  9 , the printer  1  is capable of performing control similar to the above-described control for the power supply unit  106 . 
     It should be noted that the aforementioned embodiment absolutely describes one embodiment of the invention, and any modifications and applications thereof can be made within the scope of the invention. 
     For example, in the aforementioned embodiment, the configuration in which the printer  1  includes the temperature sensor  102  configured to detect temperature of the afterheater  73 , and allows the temperature sensor  102  to detect the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  has been exemplified. For this configuration, however, the temperature sensor  12  is not limited to the temperature sensor installed in the printer  1 , but may be a temperature sensor attachably/detachably attached onto the afterheater  73 , or may be an externally disposed temperature sensor. 
     For example, in the aforementioned embodiment, the configuration in which, when the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9 , which is detected during a predetermined period, has risen above the target temperature or is likely to rise above the target temperature, information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range is reported has been exemplified. For this configuration, however, a configuration in which, when the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  has fallen below a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature, the display unit  104  reports information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is not within an acceptable range may be employed. That is, the display unit  104  may be configured to, when the external heater  9  is concurrently used, report information indicating that the temperature of the heat emitted by the external heater  9  is too low. With this configuration, when the external heater  9  is concurrently used, a probability that a user is able to recognize that the output of the external heater  9  is too high or too low, and the installation position of the external heater  9  is too distant or too near relative to the printer  1  is increased, and thus, the convenience for the user is further increased in the adjustment of the external heater  9 . 
     Further, in the aforementioned embodiment, the configuration in which the control unit  100  retrieves the pair of the temperature change appropriate data TD 1  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 1  or the pair of the temperature change appropriate data TD 2  and the temperature change inappropriate data FTD 2  from the temperature change database  101   a  has been exemplified. For this configuration, however, the control unit  100  may retrieve not only one pair of the temperature change appropriate data and the temperature change inappropriate data, but also a plurality of pairs of the temperature change appropriate data and the temperature change inappropriate data. In this case, the control unit  100  determines the presence/absence of necessity of the adjustment of the external heater  9  on the basis of the retrieved pairs of temperature change appropriate data and the temperature change inappropriate data. 
     Further, for example, in the case where a control method for the aforementioned printer  1  (the control method for a printing apparatus) is implemented using a computer included in the printer  1 , the invention can be configured in a form of a program that is executed by the computer in order to implement the control method; a form of a recording medium that records therein the program in a way that enables the computer to read the program; or a form of a transmission medium that transmits the program. As the recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory device can be used. Specifically, non-limiting examples of the recording medium include portable types of recording media such a flexible disc, a HDD (Hard Disc Drive), a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu-ray (trademark) Disc, a magneto optical disc, a flash memory, and a card type recording medium, and fixed types of recording media. Further, the recording medium may be a nonvolatile recording device that is an internal storage device included in the printer  1 , such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a HDD. 
     Further, for example, the processing units in  FIG. 4 , and  FIGS. 6A and 6B , are units obtained by segmenting the processing of the printer  1  in accordance with main processing contents so as to facilitate the understanding of the processing of the printer  1 , and the invention is not limited to the segmentation method for the processing units and the names of the processing units. The processing of the printer  1  may be segmented into a larger number of processing units in accordance with the processing contents. Further, the segmentation may be made such that one processing unit includes a larger number of processes. 
     Further, each of the function units shown in  FIG. 3  is for use in describing the functional configuration thereof, and a specific implementation form of the each function unit is not particularly limited. That is, hardware individually corresponding to each of the function units is not necessarily implemented, and a configuration that allows the functions of a plurality of function units to be implemented by allowing one processor to execute a program is naturally applicable. Further, in the aforementioned embodiment, part of functions implemented using software may be implemented using hardware, or part of functions implemented using hardware may be implemented using software. Additionally, the detailed configuration of each of other portions of the printer  1  can be also changed optionally within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention. 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-237414, filed Dec. 7, 2016. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-237414 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.