TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording control apparatus, an image recording
apparatus, and a method for identifying arrangement of recording operation units,
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] There have been conventionally image recording apparatuses which each arrange a plurality
of recording elements and record an image on recording mediums by controlling the
image recording operation of each of the recording elements. Such image recording
apparatuses can improve the recording speed by increasing the number of recording
elements and enabling the image recording operation for a wider range at once. for
such image recording apparatuses, there is a technique of decreasing the trouble and
cost caused by the generation of defects of recording elements and improving the efficiency
by arranging a plurality of recording heads in each of which a predetermined number
of recording elements are arranged, and enabling separate adjustment and replacement
of each of the recording heads.
[0003] ln order to record images at high speed in an image recording apparatus which arranges,
in such a way, a plurality of recording heads or a plurality of recording operation
units each of which is a unit of one or a plurality of recording heads, it is necessary
to input image data. that is, a drive signal of each recording head to each of the
recording operation units from a print server or the like at high speed. Japanese
Patent Application Laid Open Publication No.
2008-12909 discloses a technique of providing a bypass path of data to a plurality of drive
substrates connected in series, inputting serial data including the drive signal of
each drive substrate from a control substrate simultaneously in a parallel manner,
and extracting the data part corresponding to the identification number of each drive
substrate in the drive substrate to perform the drive operation.
[0004] On the other hand, a synchronization signal, a predetermined drive voltage, a ground
voltage and the like, for which a same signal (voltage) is supplied to each recording
operation unit and drive substrate, are transmitted from a single supply source to
each recording operation unit and drive substrate separately.
SUMMARY
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0006] However, in order to extract image data for an appropriate portion corresponding
to the arrangement of each recording operation unit in a plurality of recording operation
units, it is necessary to have information regarding the relative positional relationship
between each recording operation unit and the other recording operation units. This
relative positional information such as the arrangement order of recording operation
units and relative coordinates is obtained by using a DIP switch or the like for a
user of the image recording apparatus to perform manual setting, and acquiring, with
a print server, the signal corresponding to the setting of the DIP switch from the
driver or the like which drives each recording operation unit. Since such setting
bothers the user, there is a problem that error easily occurs especially in a case
where a large number of recording operation units are provided and in a case where
the recording operation units are partially replaced.
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording control apparatus,
an image recording apparatus and a method for identifying the arrangement of recording
operation units which can perform setting regarding the operation control of a plurality
of recording operation units easily and appropriately without requiring addition or
change of a large configuration.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is an image
recording control apparatus, including: a predetermined number of driving units which
respectively drive the predetermined number of recording operation units which perform
a recording operation by a plurality of recording elements, the predetermined number
being two or more; a control unit which performs a control operation of the predetermined
number of driving units based on a content of the recording operation; a first signal
path which connects the control unit and the predetermined number of driving units
in parallel; and a second signal path through which a control signal is input from
an input end to the driving unit that is uppermost in an order determined according
to arrangement of the predetermined number of recording operation units among the
predetermined number of driving units, and which connects the predetermined number
of driving units to each other so that the control signal is transmitted in the order
to the driving unit that is lowermost in the order, wherein at least an upstream side
driving unit from the uppermost driving unit to the driving unit which is connected
immediately above the lowermost driving unit among the predetermined number of driving
units has a switching unit which switches whether or not to output the control signal
transmitted through the second signal path from an input end side to a downstream
side opposite to the input end side, the control unit identifies the arrangement of
the predetermined number of recording operation units by obtaining, through the first
signal path, information regarding an input status of the control signal to at least
the upstream side driving unit through the second signal path corresponding to a switching
state of the switching unit, and the control unit outputs a recording control signal
based on the content of the recording operation corresponding to the arrangement to
each of the predetermined number of driving units through the first signal path.
[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 1, wherein the control unit sets and controls the switching state by the
switching unit, and obtains the information regarding the input status of the control
signal through the first signal path for each setting pattern of the switching state.
[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 1 or 2, wherein, when a first control signal input from the input end side
is not output to the downstream side, the switching unit outputs a second control
signal to the downstream side.
[0011] The invention described in claim 4 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 3, wherein the control unit identifies the arrangement of the predetermined
number of recording operation units by causing each of the switching unit to perform
switching in order in a state in which the first control signal different from the
second control signal determined in advance is input from the input end, and obtaining
a type of the control signal input to each of at least the upstream side driving unit
as the information regarding the input status from at least the upstream side driving
unit through the first signal path.
[0012] The invention described in claim 5 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 3 or 4, wherein the first control signal is a predetermined constant voltage
signal, and the second control signal is a constant voltage signal of a voltage different
from the first control signal.
[0013] The invention described in claim 6 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 1 or 2, wherein, when a first control signal input from the input end side
is not output to the downstream side, the switching unit does not output the control
signal to the downstream side of the switching unit.
[0014] The invention described in claim 7 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 6, wherein the control unit identifies the arrangement of the predetermined
number of recording operation units by causing each of the switching unit to perform
switching in order in a state in which the first control signal is input from the
input end, and obtaining whether or not the first control signal is input to each
of at least the upstream side driving unit as the information regarding the input
status from at least the upstream side driving unit through the first signal path.
[0015] The invention described in claim 8 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 1, when a first control signal is input from the input end side, the switching
unit changes the switching state after a predetermined time elapses.
[0016] The invention described in claim 9 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 8, wherein the control unit obtains information corresponding to an input
period of the first control signal as the information regarding the input status from
at least the upstream side driving unit.
[0017] The invention described in claim 10 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 8 or 9, wherein the first control signal is a signal which changes a content
of the signal each the predetermined time, and the control unit identifies the arrangement
of the predetermined number of recording operation units by obtaining the content
of the first control signal until elapse of the predetermined time from input of the
first control signal as the information regarding the input status from at least the
upstream side driving unit through the first signal path.
[0018] The invention described in claim 11 is the image recording control apparatus described
in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the driving unit having the switching unit has
a switching control unit which causes the switching unit to change the switching state
based on the input control signal.
[0019] The invention described in claim 12 is the image recording control apparatus described
in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the predetermined number of driving
units has the switching unit.
[0020] The invention described in claim 13 is the image recording control apparatus described
in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second signal path is provided along a signal
line which is used for transmission of a predetermined control signal regarding whether
or not to perform the recording operation.
[0021] The invention described in claim 14 is the image recording control apparatus described
in any one of claims 1 to 13, including a signal output unit which inputs a control
signal to the input end, wherein the signal output unit determines the control signal
to be input to the input end based on control of the control unit.
[0022] The invention described in claim 15 is the image recording control apparatus described
in claim 14, wherein the signal output unit is a programmable logic controller.
[0023] The invention described in claim 16 is the image recording control apparatus described
in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the second signal path is subjected to termination
processing at an end on the downstream side.
[0024] The invention described in claim 17 is the image recording control apparatus described
in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first signal path has a hub and a network
cable which connects the control unit and the predetermined number of driving units
via the hub, and the predetermined number of driving units have a communication unit
which performs communication by identifying each of the driving units.
[0025] The invention described in claim 18 is the image recording control apparatus described
in any one of claims 1 to 17, including a plurality of arrangements each of which
is the arrangement of the predetermined number of recording operation units, wherein
the second signal path is provided to each of the plurality of arrangements, and allows
the control signal to be selectively output for each of the plurality of arrangements,
and the control unit determines the arrangement to which the recording operation unit
corresponding to the driving unit belongs by obtaining, from the driving unit through
the first signal path, the information regarding the input status of the control signal
which is input to the driving unit for each of the plurality of arrangements.
[0026] The invention described in claim 19 is an image recording apparatus, including; the
image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18; and the
predetermined number of recording operation units.
[0027] The invention described in claim 20 is a method for identifying arrangement of recording
operation units by an image recording control apparatus that includes: a predetermined
number of driving units which respectively drive the predetermined number of the recording
operation units that are provided in a predetermined arrangement and perform a recording
operation corresponding to the arrangement by a plurality of recording elements, the
predetermined number being two or more; a control unit which performs a control operation
of the predetermined number of driving units based on a content of the recording operation;
a first signal path which connects the control unit and the predetermined number of
driving units in parallel; and a second signal path through which a control signal
is input from an input end to the driving unit that is uppermost in an order corresponding
to the arrangement of the predetermined number of recording operation units among
the predetermined number of driving units, and which connects the predetermined number
of driving units to each other so that the control signal is transmitted in the order
to the driving unit that is lowermost in the order, wherein at least an upstream side
driving unit from the uppermost driving unit to the driving unit which is connected
immediately above the lowermost driving unit among the predetermined number of driving
units has a switching unit which switches whether or not to output the control signal
transmitted through the second signal path from an input end side to a downstream
side opposite to the input end side, the control unit outputs a recording control
signal based on the content of the recording operation corresponding to the arrangement
to each of the predetermined number of driving units through the first signal path,
the method including an identification step of identifying the arrangement of the
predetermined number of recording operation units by obtaining, through the first
signal path, information regarding an input status of the control signal to at least
the upstream side driving unit through the second signal path corresponding to a switching
state of the switching unit.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0028] According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain
setting regarding the operation control of a plurality of recording operation units
easily and appropriately without requiring addition or change of a large configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029]
[FIG. 1] This is an entire perspective view showing an inkjet recording apparatus
in an embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 2] This is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the inkjet
recording apparatus.
[FIG. 3] This is a schematic view for explaining signal wiring to each head module.
[FIG. 4] This is a view for explaining signal wiring in the head module.
[FIG. 5A] This is a view for explaining the specification operation of the position
of head module.
[FIG. 5B] This is a view for explaining the specification operation of the position
of head module.
[FIG. 6A] This is a view for explaining the specification operation of the position
of head module.
[FIG. 6B] This is a view for explaining the specification operation of the position
of head module.
[FIG. 7] This is a flowchart showing a control procedure of head position specification
processing executed by the inkjet recording apparatus.
[FIG. 8] This is a flowchart showing a control procedure of image recording unit specification
processing.
[FIG. 9] This is a flowchart showing a control procedure of head arrangement order
specification processing.
[FIG. 10] This is a schematic view for explaining signal wiring to each head module
in an inkjet recording apparatus in a second embodiment.
[FIG. 11A] This is a view for explaining signal wiring in the head module in the inkjet
recording apparatus in the second embodiment.
[FIG. 11B] This is a view for explaining signal wiring in the head module in the inkjet
recording apparatus in the second embodiment.
[FIG. 12] This is a flowchart showing a control procedure of head arrangement order
specification processing invoked in the inkjet recording apparatus in the second embodiment.
[FIG. 13A] This is a view for explaining input/output levels of a signal through a
chain cable and changes in the switching state of the switching unit in an inkjet
recording apparatus in a third embodiment.
[FIG. 13B] This is a view for explaining a modification example of input/output levels
of a signal through a chain cable and changes in the switching state of the switching
unit in the inkjet recording apparatus in the third embodiment.
[FIG. 14] This is a flowchart showing a control procedure of head arrangement order
specification processing invoked in the inkjet recording apparatus in the third embodiment.
[FIG. 15] This is a flowchart showing a control procedure of head arrangement order
specification processing in position specification operation in a modification example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis
of the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
[0031] FIG. 1 is an entire perspective view of an inkjet recording apparatus 1 in a first
embodiment.
[0032] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 (image recording apparatus) includes a conveyance
unit 10, image recording units 20 and the like.
[0033] The conveyance unit 10 moves a recording medium P at a predetermined conveyance speed
in a predetermined conveyance direction while making the recording medium P face the
ink ejection surface in a range where the image recording units 20 perform the image
recording operation (ink ejection operation). The conveyance unit 10 includes an endless
conveyance belt, a motor and the like, for example, places the recording medium P
on the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance belt and rotates the conveyance
belt by the motor.
[0034] Though the number (number of colors) of image recording units 20 is not especially
limited, the image recording units 20 in the embodiment are formed of four image recording
units 20C, 20M, 20Y and 20K which respectively eject ink of four (a plurality of)
colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow) and K (black). These four image recording
units 20C, 20M, 20Y and 20K are provided at positions which are different from each
other in the conveyance direction. The arrangement order of the image recording units
20C, 20M, 20Y and 20K is determined as needed so that the optimum color expression
can be made when the ink ejection positions overlap each other.
[0035] Each of the image recording units 20 includes a predetermined number of (seven in
the embodiment) head modules 21a to 21g (driving units) (hereinafter, also collectively
described as head modules 21), the predetermined number being two or more, and a predetermined
number of sets of recording heads 23 (see FIG. 2, recording operation units) among
which a prescribed number of recording heads 23 are provided at a position (conveyance
surface side of the head module 21) corresponding to each of the predetermined number
of head modules 21 and facing the conveyance surface (recording medium P). By ejecting
ink from the openings of a plurality of nozzles (recording elements) in the recording
heads 23 (by causing the recording heads 23 to perform recording operation), the image
recording unit 20 makes ink land on the recording medium P conveyed while facing the
nozzle openings (ink ejection surface), and records an image on the recording medium
P.
[0036] The recording heads 23 are attached to carriages 22 at different positions in the
width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction in the conveyance surface.
The head module 21 corresponding to each set of recording heads 23 is provided at
a position on the carriage 22 corresponding to the set of the recording heads 23.
Each of the head modules 21 has a driving circuit 42 (see FIG. 2) which drives the
corresponding recording heads 23, and the entire recording heads 23 included in all
of the head modules 21 belonging to one image recording unit 20 are provided so that
the width direction component of arrangement range providing the nozzle openings in
a predetermined arrangement pattern is a predetermined width in the width direction.
The number (above prescribed number) of recording heads 23 which are provided so as
to correspond to each of the head modules 21a to 21g is not especially limited as
long as the driving circuit 42 can perform driving all at once.
[0037] Four rows of such arrangement of recording heads 23 (arrangement of recording operation
units) are respectively provided for image recording units 20C, 20M, 20Y and 20K.
[0038] Each of the image recording units 20 is fixed at the time of image recording, and
forms a line head which records a two-dimensional image by one-pass method by ejecting
ink at once over the above-mentioned predetermined width to the recording medium P
while moving the recording medium P in the conveyance direction. The predetermined
width is determined according to the recordable width of the recording medium P of
the maximum width which is the conveyance target by the conveyance unit 10.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the inkjet recording
apparatus 1 in the embodiment.
[0040] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a control unit 40, an encoder 11 and a
conveyance driving unit 41 of the conveyance unit 10, a driving circuit 42 and a module
control unit 211 (communication unit, switching control unit) of the head module 21,
a carriage driving unit 43, a communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, an operation
display unit 46, a bus 49, a PLC 56 (Programmable Logic Controller) (signal output
unit) and the like.
[0041] The control unit 40 integrally controls the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus
1, and performs control operation of causing each component such as the head modules
21 to perform various operations (based on the contents of recording operation). The
control unit 40 includes a CPU 401 (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 402 (Read Only
Memory), a RAM 403 (Random Access Memory) and the like, and the CPU 401 performs various
types of arithmetic processing in the RAM 403 as a working memory space. The ROM 402
stores initial setting data, various types of control programs, and the like. The
CPU 401 reads them as needed, loads them in the RAM 403 and uses the data and executes
the programs.
[0042] The conveyance driving unit 41 has a conveyance member of the conveyance unit 10,
for example, a motor which moves the endless belt and the like, and moves the belt
at a desired speed.
[0043] The encoder 11 is attached to the rotation shaft of this motor, and outputs a pulse
signal each time the belt moves for a predetermined movement amount. The pulse signal
is used for identifying the movement speed, the position and the like of the belt.
[0044] The driving circuit 42 and the module control unit 211 are provided to each of the
head modules 21. In the embodiment, the module control unit 211 transmits/receives
a signal to and from the control unit 40 via the communication unit 44.
[0045] The driving circuit 42 performs the driving operation for ink ejection from each
recording head 23 on the basis of image data of the recording target in each head
module 21. In the embodiment, for example, each of the recording heads 23 has a configuration
of deforming the wall surface of the ink chamber connecting to the nozzle, thereby
changing the pressure of ink in the ink chamber and ejecting ink from the nozzle.
The driving circuit 42 performs output operation of a voltage waveform so as to apply
the voltage in a predetermined pattern (voltage waveform) to the piezoelectric element
provided along the wall surface of the ink chamber. Thus, the piezoelectric element
deforms according to the voltage waveform, and the wall surface of the ink chamber
deforms according to this deformation.
[0046] The module control unit 211 controls the operation of the driving circuit 42 in each
of the head modules 21. The module control unit 211 receives control data corresponding
to the image of the recording target from the control unit 40 and outputs the data
to the driving circuit 42 at an appropriate timing. The module control unit 211 performs
switching control of an after-mentioned switching unit 2121 (see FIG. 4) and transmission/reception
of information with the control unit 40 for specification of the position of the head
module 21.
[0047] As the module control unit 211, a microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM and a storage
unit is used.
[0048] The carriage driving unit 43 moves the carriage 22 of each of the image recording
units 20, and moves the recording heads 23 attached to the carriage 22 together. The
carriage driving unit 43 performs the operation of moving back the recording heads
23 (head modules 21) from the position facing the conveyance surface in a case where
adjustment of the head module 21 or the recording heads 23 is performed, or a trouble
occurs for cleaning or conveyance of the recording medium, and the like.
[0049] The communication unit 44 performs communication with a computer such as an external
data server and a printer server through a network cable (LAN cable or the like).
The control unit 40 obtains a recording instruction of an image, image data targeted
by the recording, setting information regarding the recording operation and the like
through the communication unit 44, and outputs status information of the image recording
operation and the like. The communication unit 44 can communicate with the module
control unit 211 of each of the head modules 21 which is connected to the network
through hubs 51 to 55 (see FIG. 3) as mentioned later. The control unit 40 outputs
the driving control signal of the head module 21, image recording data and the like
(recording control signal) for image recording through the communication unit 44.
The communication path for communication with an external computer and the communication
path for communication with the head module 21 may be provided independently.
[0050] The storage unit 45 stores image data processed for image recording operation and
the like. As the storage unit 45, for example, a DRAM used for temporary storage,
a nonvolatile memory or the like is used. The storage unit 45 stores head arrangement
information 451 regarding actual arrangement order of the plurality of head modules
21. When the control signal for image recording operation is distributed and output
to each of the head modules 21, the head arrangement information 451 is loaded in
the RAM 403 to be used by the CPU 401 as needed.
[0051] The operation display unit 46 receives user's input operation to output the operation
signal to the control unit 40, and displays the menu screen regarding received contents
and the status display screen regarding the image recording operation and the like.
As the operation display unit 46, for example, a liquid display screen or the like
on which a touch panel is overlaid is used. The operation display unit 46 may include
a push button switch, an LED lamp or the like.
[0052] The bus 49 is a communication path connecting the control unit 40 with each component.
[0053] The PLC 56 (Programmable Logic Controller) outputs the control signal to each of
the head modules 21. The PLC 56 has a microcomputer, for example, directly connected
to the control unit 40 and the encoder 11, and performs the signal output operation
based on the control signal from the control unit 40.
[0054] Next, the connection of the signal line in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the
first embodiment will be described.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining the signal wiring to each of the head modules
21.
[0056] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the module control units 211 (see FIG. 4) in
the respective head modules 21 are connected in parallel through the network to the
control unit 40 which controls the image recording via the hubs 51 to 55 through network
cables 61 such as LAN cables. The head modules 21 are specified by setting respective
IP addresses, and can communicate with the control unit 40 individually and in parallel.
The control unit 40 transmits the recording control signal for ink ejection from each
nozzle corresponding to image data to each of the head modules 21 through this network
connection.
[0057] The hubs 51 to 55 and the network cables 61 form a first signal path.
[0058] The control unit 40 is directly connected with the PLC 56 as mentioned above, and
a control signal is output to the PLC 56 from the control unit 40.
[0059] The PLC 56 outputs the signal to the image recording units 20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K
by chain cables 62 (second signal path) through the signal distributor 57. In the
image recording unit 20, each of the chain cables 62 connects a plurality of head
modules 21 (driving units) to each other in series in the order which is determined
according to the arrangement of the recording heads 23 on the carriage 22, and can
transmit the signal to all the head modules 21 in the order. A termination unit 58
(terminator) is provided to the end on the output side (downstream side) of the head
module 21 which is lowermost in the order, and termination processing is performed
to prevent problems such as reflection of the signal. The PLC 56 in the embodiment
outputs each of three types of signals which are a print enable signal (predetermined
control signal regarding whether or not to perform the recording operation), an encoder
signal and a head position search signal by a high voltage signal VH or a low voltage
signal VL. The chain cables 62 transmit these three types of signals by respective
independent signal lines (that is, the signal line of head position search signal
is along the signal line of the print enable signal).
[0060] The encoder signal input from the encoder 11 of the conveyance unit 10 is input to
the PLC 56. The encoder signal is a signal which is output according to the conveyance
amount (movement distance) of the recording medium P by the conveyance unit 10, and
the signal is output each time the motor moving the conveyance belt rotates by a predetermined
rotation angle, for example. By the encoder signal being output to each of the image
recording units 20 through the PLC 56 and the signal distributor 57, the difference
in position along the conveyance direction between the head modules 21 is reflected,
and timings of driving operation for ink ejection are respectively set.
[0061] The signal distributer 57 can output a predetermined signal from an end (input end)
of the chain cable 62 corresponding to the head module 21 which is the uppermost in
the above-mentioned order (that is, head) in any of the image recording units 20 of
C, M, Y and K colors selectively.
[0062] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the signal wiring in the head module 21.
[0063] In the head module 21, the above-mentioned module control unit 211, the FPGA 212
(Field-Programmable Gate Array) and the driving circuit 42 are provided. The head
module 21 also includes a communication connection terminal 215, an input terminal
216 and an output terminal 217.
[0064] The network cables 61 connected to the hubs 52 to 55 are connected to module control
units 211 through communication connection terminals 215, and transmit signals which
are transmitted and received by the module control units 211. Each of the module control
units 211 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and
the like, and performs, at appropriate timings, output to the driving circuit 42 which
applies voltage to a load which determines whether or not to eject ink from each nozzle,
that is, the piezoelectric element for deforming the ink chamber connected to the
nozzle and generating pressure change of ink inside the ink chamber, or the like on
the basis of the input driving data.
[0065] The FPGA 212 outputs the print enable signal determining whether or not to operate
the driving circuit 42 and the encoder signal to the driving circuit through the chain
cable 62 from the PLC 56. Such a signal is input to the input terminal 216, and then
branched before input to the FPGA 212. The branched signal is output from the output
terminal 217 directly, and transmitted to the head module 21 (or termination unit
58 when the signal is output from the output terminal 217 of the head module 21 which
is lowermost in the order, the same applies hereinafter) which is immediately below
the head module 21 in the arrangement order among the plurality of head modules 21
which are connected in series.
[0066] The chain cable 62 also transmits an after-mentioned head position search signal.
The head position search signal is input to the FPGA 212 and branched. One of the
branched signals is input to the switching unit 2121, and the other is input to the
module control unit 211. The switching unit 2121 includes a switching element for
example, a MOSFET (CMOS) or the like, which switches the connection (performs switching
operation) according to the control signal from the module control unit 211. The switching
unit 2121 switches whether or not to output the head position search signal input
from the input terminal 216 (input end side of the chain cable 62) to the output terminal
217 (downstream side of the chain cable 62). Specifically, according to the switching
state, the switching unit 2121 outputs, without change, the head position search signal
input from the input terminal 216 or interrupts the head position search signal and
outputs the input voltage from a constant voltage source Vcc, which supplies the voltage
equal to the above-mentioned high voltage signal VH, to the output terminal 217.
[0067] Next, the position specification operation of the head module 21 in the inkjet recording
apparatus 1 in the first embodiment will be described.
[0068] As mentioned above, in order to output image data (driving data) individually to
each of the head modules 21 from the control unit 40, the control unit 40 needs to
recognize the relative positional relationship between the head modules 21, that is,
the arrangement order and the color of ink ejected by the recording heads 23 which
are operated by each of the head modules 21.
[0069] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the relative positional relationship between
heads is narrowed down by the control unit 40 obtaining information on the signal
level of the head position search signal which was input from each of the module control
units 211 in a state in which the control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output the
head position search signal.
[0070] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B are views for explaining the position specification operation
of head module 21.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 5A, in a state in which the high voltage signal VH is output to
only a single image recording unit 20 by the signal distributer 57 and a low voltage
signal VL is output to the other image recording units 20, the control unit 40 causes
all the module control units 211 to output, without change, the head position search
signal, which was input from the input terminal 216, to the downstream side from the
output terminal 217 by the switching unit 2121, and respond the voltage level (information
regarding input status) of the input head position search signal. By switching the
image recording unit 20 to output the high voltage signal VH in order for all the
image recording units 20 (four times in the embodiment) or for image recording units
other than the last image recording unit (three times) and executing the above process,
as shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 40 specifies the ink color ejected by the image
recording unit 20 to which the head module 21 indicated by each IP address (last three
digits are displayed in the embodiment) belongs.
[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, while the control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output
the low voltage signal VL (first control signal, predetermined constant voltage signal)
as the head position search signal to each of the image recording units 20, the control
unit 40 outputs a control signal to the module control unit 211 of any one head module
21 among the head modules 21 belonging to each of the image recording units 20 to
change the switching state by the switching unit 2121 and output the voltage (that
is, high voltage signal VH) of the constant voltage source Vcc instead of the input
low voltage signal VL. Then, the control unit 40 transmits a request to notify the
voltage level of input head position search signal (information regarding input status)
to each of the module control units 211.
[0073] The voltage level of the head position search signal notified from each of the module
control units 211 is the low voltage signal VL as for the head module 21 which caused
the above-mentioned switching unit 2121 to perform the switching operation and the
head module(s) 21 on the upstream side (input end side) of the head module 21, and
the voltage level of the head position search signal is the high voltage signal VH
(second control signal, constant voltage signal of a voltage different from the first
control signal) as for the head module(s) 21 on the downstream side (termination unit
58 side) of the head module 21 which caused the switching unit 2121 to perform the
switching operation. That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, the head modules 21 can be divided
into two groups of the upstream side groups 20Ca, 20Ma, 20Ya and 20Ka and the downstream
side groups 20Cb, 20Mb, 20Yb and 20Kb by the arrangement order in each of the image
recording units 20. When there is only one head module 21 forming the group as in
the No. 010 of the head module 21 in the downstream side group 20Kb, the arrangement
position of the head module 21 is identified uniquely.
[0074] The arrangement order of all the head modules 21 are finally determined by repeating
the similar operation for each group classified in such a way.
[0075] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the head
position specification processing executed by the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in
the first embodiment.
[0076] The head position specification processing is activated and executed by the user
at the time of assembly inspection of the inkjet recording apparatus 1, installing,
replacement of the head module 21 and the like.
[0077] When the head position specification processing is started, the control unit 40 invokes
and executes image recording unit specification processing (step S101). Then, the
control unit 40 invokes and executes head arrangement order specification processing
(step S102).
[0078] On the basis of the specified head position information, the control unit 40 stores
the relative positional information of each of the head modules 21 in association
with specification information of the module control unit 211 by the control unit
40 such as the IP address (step S103). The control unit 40 ends the head position
specification processing.
[0079] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the image
recording unit specification processing invoked in the head position specification
processing.
[0080] When the image recording unit specification processing is invoked, the control unit
40 causes the PLC 56 to output a high voltage signal VH as the head position search
signal through the chain cable 62 to the image recording unit 20C which ejects ink
of C color, and causes the PLC 56 to output a low voltage signal VL as the head position
search signal through the chain cables 62 to the image recording units 20M, 20Y and
20K which eject ink of the other colors (step S301). The control unit 40 requests
all the module control units 211 to provide the voltage level information (that is,
information regarding the input status of the head position search signal (control
signal)) of the head position search signal (step S302). The control unit 40 obtains
the voltage level information which was output from each of the module control units
211, and identifies the IP addresses of the head modules 21 to which the high voltage
signal VH was input, that is, the head modules 21 belonging to the image recording
unit 20C (step S303).
[0081] The control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output the high voltage signal VH as the
head position search signal through the chain cable 62 to the image recording unit
20M which ejects ink of M color, and causes the PLC 56 to output the low voltage signal
VL as the head position search signal through the chain cables 62 to the image recording
units 20C, 20Y and 20K which eject ink of the other colors (step S304). The control
unit 40 requests all the module control units 211 to provide the voltage level information
of the head position search signal (step S305). The control unit 40 obtains the voltage
level information which was output from each of the module control units 211, and
identifies the IP addresses of the head modules 21 to which the high voltage signal
VH was input, that is, the head modules 21 belonging to the image recording unit 20M
(step S306).
[0082] The control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output the high voltage signal VH as the
head position search signal through the chain cable 62 to the image recording unit
20Y which ejects ink of Y color, and causes the PLC 56 to output the low voltage signal
VL as the head position search signal through the chain cables 62 to the image recording
units 20C, 20M and 20K which eject ink of the other colors (step S307). The control
unit 40 requests all the module control units 211 to provide the voltage level information
of the head position search signal (step S308). The control unit 40 obtains the voltage
level information which was output from each of the module control units 211, and
identifies the IP addresses of the head modules 21 to which the high voltage signal
VH was input, that is, the head modules 21 belonging to the image recording unit 20Y
(step S309).
[0083] The control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output the high voltage signal VH as the
head position search signal through the chain cable 62 to the image recording unit
20K which ejects ink of K color, and causes the PLC 56 to output the low voltage signal
VL as the head position search signal through the chain cables 62 to the image recording
units 20C, 20M and 20Y which eject ink of the other colors (step S310). The control
unit 40 requests all the module control units 211 to provide the voltage level information
of the head position search signal (step S311). The control unit 40 obtains the voltage
level information which was output from each of the module control units 211, and
identifies the IP addresses of the head modules 21 to which the high voltage signal
VH was input, that is, the head modules 21 belonging to the image recording unit 20K
(step S312).
[0084] Then, the control unit 40 ends the image recording unit specification processing,
and returns the processing to the head position specification processing.
[0085] The processing of steps S310 to S312 may be omitted and the control unit 40 may simply
identify, among the head modules 21, the remaining head modules 21 which are not identified
as belonging to any of the image recording units 20C, 20M and 20Y in each processing
of steps S303, S306 and S309 as the head modules 21 belonging to the image recording
unit 20K.
[0086] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the head
arrangement order specification processing invoked in the head position specification
processing.
[0087] Each process of the head arrangement order specification processing forms an identification
step of the present invention.
[0088] When the head arrangement order specification processing is invoked, the control
unit 40 outputs a control signal to the PLC 56 to output a low voltage signal VL as
the head position search signal through the chain cables 62 to all the image recording
units 20 (step S501). The control unit 40 selects one of the head modules 21 belonging
to each of the image recording units 20 (step S502). The control unit 40 determines
whether or not the selected head modules 21 include a head module 21 which has the
arrangement order (position) already identified (step S503). If it is determined that
the selected head modules 21 include a head module 21 which has the arrangement order
already identified (step S503; YES), the control unit 40 changes the head module 21
to be selected from the identified head module 21 (step S504), and returns the processing
to step S503.
[0089] If it is determined that the selected head modules 21 do not include a head module
21 which has the arrangement order already identified (step S503; NO), the control
unit 40 outputs a switching operation instruction of switching unit 2121 to the module
control unit 211 of each of the selected head modules 21 to change the switching state,
and causes each of the module control units 211 to output a high voltage signal VH
(output voltage of constant voltage source Vcc) from the output terminal 217 instead
of the input head position search signal (step S505). The control unit 40 requests
all the head modules 21 to provide the voltage level information of the input head
position search signal (step S506). The control unit 40 obtains the voltage level
information from the module control unit 211 of each of the head modules 21, and divides,
according to high/low of the voltage level, the group including the selected head
modules 21 (for the first time, a single group including all the head modules 21 in
each of the image recording units 20) (step S507). The control unit 40 outputs a reset
instruction of the switching operation of switching unit 2121 to the module control
unit 211 of each of the selected head modules 21 to return the switching state, leading
to a state of outputting the input head position search signal without change from
the output terminal 217 (state of making the head position search signal pass through)
(step S508).
[0090] The control unit 40 determines, for the divided groups, whether or not there is generated
a group including only one head module 21 (step S509). If it is determined that such
a group is generated (step S509; YES), the control unit 40 identifies the arrangement
order of the head module 21 of the group (step S510). The control unit 40 determines
whether or not the positions (arrangement order) of all the head modules 21 are identified
(step S511). If it is determined that the positions of all the head modules 21 are
not identified (step S511; NO), the processing of the control unit 40 returns to step
S502. If it is determined that the positions of all the head modules 21 are identified
(step S511; YES), the control unit 40 ends the head arrangement order specification
processing and returns the processing to the head position specification processing.
[0091] In the determination processing of step S509, if it is determined that the group
including only one head module 21 is not newly generated (step S509; NO), the processing
of the control unit 40 returns to step S502.
[0092] In the determination processing of step S509, if the group including two head modules
21 is divided into two, both of the positions (arrangement order) of the two head
modules 21 are identified.
[0093] In a case where the IP address is dynamically assigned to each of the head modules
21 by using DHCP or the like, it is preferable that various settings such as a lease
period are maintained so that the IP address is not changed when the inkjet recording
apparatus 1 is activated again after the period during which the power supply to the
inkjet recording apparatus 1 is stopped. Alternatively, for a case where the IP address
is changed, the MAC address (physical address) and the arrangement of each of the
head modules 21 may be stored so as to be associated with each other by obtaining
an ARP table or the like, and when the apparatus is activated again, the association
between the IP address and the arrangement of the head module 21 may be updated with
only the operation of the control unit 40 by updating the ARP table.
[0094] Alternatively, the arrangement information of the identified head module 21 may be
transmitted to each of the head modules 21 from the control unit 40 and stored, and
when the apparatus is activated again, the information maybe obtained in association
with the IP address from each of the head modules 21.
[0095] As described above, an inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the first embodiment includes:
seven head modules 21 that respectively drive a predetermined number (seven in the
embodiment) of sets of recording heads 23 each set of which includes a prescribed
number of recording heads 23 and performs recording operation, the predetermined number
being two or more; a control unit 40 which performs control operation of seven head
modules 21 on the basis of the contents of the recording operation; network cables
61 and hubs 51 to 55 as a first signal path connecting the control unit 40 and the
seven head modules 21 in parallel; and chain cable 62 as a second signal path through
which a control signal is input to the head module 21 which is uppermost (on the side
closest to the PLC 56) in the order determined according to the arrangement of the
seven sets of recording heads 23 among the seven head modules 21 from the input end
connected to the signal distributer 57, and which connects the seven head modules
21 to each other so that the control signal can be transmitted in the order to the
head module 21 which is lowermost (on the side closest to the termination unit 58)
in the order at least. Each of at least six head modules 21 (upstream side driving
unit) (all the seven head modules 21 in the embodiment) from the uppermost head module
21 to the head module 21 connected immediately above the lowermost head module 21
among the seven head modules 21 has a switching unit 2121 which switches whether or
not to output the control signal transmitted through the second signal path from the
PLC 56 side (input terminal 216) to the downstream side (output terminal 217) which
is on the opposite side (the termination unit 58 side) to the PLC 56 side. The control
unit 40 obtains, through the first signal path, information regarding the input status
(that is, whether or not the low voltage signal VL was input) of the control signal
to each of at least six head modules 21 (all the seven head modules 21 in a case where
the six upstream side driving units are not identified in advance as in the embodiment)
other than the lowermost head module 21 in the arrangement order by the chain cable
62 corresponding to the switching state of the switching unit 2121 in each of the
seven head modules 21, identifies the arrangement of the seven sets of recording heads
23, and outputs the recording control signal based on the content of the recording
operation corresponding to the arrangement of the recording heads 23 to each of the
seven head modules 21 through the first signal path.
[0096] In such a way, by using the network cables 61 and chain cable 62 two-dimensionally
connected to the head modules 21 and obtaining information on the input control signal
corresponding to the switching state of the switching unit 2121 of each of the head
modules 21, the actual arrangement positions of the recording heads 23 and each corresponding
head module 21 are specified even in a case where the actual arrangement of each (set
of) recording heads 23 is not known and an arbitrary identification number is assigned
to each head module 21 corresponding to the recording heads 23. At this time, each
of the head modules 21 (module control units 211) does not need to perform the setting
processing operation of the identification number or the identification mark considering
the arrangement position, and, by only the simple switching operation, the control
unit 40 which requires the information on the arrangement order can perform processing
and management regarding the setting of the arrangement order all together at the
time of transmitting image data. Accordingly, in this inkjet recording apparatus 1,
it is possible to avoid setting management errors without requiring addition or change
of a large configuration, and obtain the arrangement information of the recording
heads 23 and the head module 21 corresponding to the recording heads 23 easily and
appropriately, perform setting regarding control of the image recording operation
and use the information for the image recording operation.
[0097] The control unit 40 controls the setting of the switching state by the switching
unit 2121, and obtains the information regarding the input status of the control signal
through the first signal path (network connection) for each setting pattern of the
switching state. Accordingly, the control unit 40 intensively sets an appropriate
switching pattern of the switching unit 2121 and obtains the arrangement information
of the head module 21 efficiently.
[0098] In a case where the switching state of the switching unit 2121 changes and the control
signal (low voltage signal VL) input from the PLC 56 side (input terminal 216) is
not output to the downstream side (output terminal 217), the switching unit 2121 outputs
the voltage signal from the constant voltage source Vcc to the downstream side. Accordingly,
the detection signal (voltage level) on the downstream side of the switching unit
2121 is determined appropriately, and can be more clearly and surely distinguished
from the signal on the upstream side (PLC 56 side).
[0099] The control unit 40 causes each of the switching units 2121 to perform switching
in order (the order mentioned here is not fixed but determined as needed according
to the state of group division as mentioned above) in a state in which the low voltage
signal VL different from the high voltage signal VH output by the constant voltage
source Vcc determined in advance is input from the input end (PLC 56 side) of the
chain cable 62 of the second signal path. The control unit 40 then obtains the type
of the control signal which was input to each of the seven head modules 21 as the
information regarding the input status from each of the seven head modules 21 through
the first signal path, and thereby identifies the arrangement of the seven sets of
recording heads 23.
[0100] In such a way, the arrangement order of each of the head modules 21 (that is, arrangement
positions of the recording heads 23) is specified by only the simple switching operation
of switching the input voltage signal and the voltage signal from the constant voltage
source Vcc which supplies the voltage different from the input voltage signal. Thus,
it is possible to obtain the arrangement information of the recording heads 23 and
the head module 21 corresponding to the recording heads 23 easily and appropriately
and use the information for the image recording operation.
[0101] The first control signal input from the PLC 56 side is a predetermined constant voltage
signal (low voltage signal VL), and the second control signal output to the downstream
side instead of the first control signal by the switching unit 2121 is a constant
voltage signal (high voltage signal VH) of the voltage different from the first control
signal. Since such a signal makes it possible to identify the signal type easily only
by the determination of signal level, the processing such as reading determination
of the signal waveform pattern is not necessary, and especially, it is possible to
more simplify the contents of processing operation in the head module 21.
[0102] Each of the seven head modules 21 has a switching unit 2121. In such a way, by using
the head module 21 of a same configuration, it is possible to provide the head module
21 at an arbitrary arrangement order position with respect to the control unit 40
and the recording heads 23 as needed, and reduce the cost and trouble for manufacturing
and replacement work (especially, in a case where the head module 21 is replaced together
with the recording heads 23). Even by such a same configuration, it is possible to
surely identify the arrangement order by the chain cable 62 of each of the head modules
21 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment.
[0103] The chain cable 62 of the second signal path is provided along the signal line used
for transmission of the print enable signal regarding whether or not to perform the
recording operation. By providing a similar dedicated line additionally to the conventional
line in such a way, it is possible to easily obtain the arrangement information of
the recording heads 23 and the head module 21 corresponding to the recording heads
23.
[0104] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes a PLC 56 which inputs a control signal
such as a low voltage signal VL through the signal distributer 57 to the input end
of the chain cable 62 of the second signal path. The PLC 56 determines the control
signal to be input to the chain cable 62 on the basis of the control by the control
unit 40.
[0105] In such a way, it is possible to stably output the appropriate voltage signal to
each of the head modules 21 by the configuration in which the control unit 40 does
not directly perform the signal output to the chain cable 62 of the second signal
path.
[0106] Since the low voltage signal VL and the like can be output as the head position search
signal by using the PLC 56 (programmable logic controller), it is possible to identify
the arrangement of the recording heads 23 and the arrangement order of the head module
21 corresponding to the recording heads 23 without complicating the configuration
and the processing by using (multiple uses) the PLC 56 which is provided for the output
control of important signals such as a print enable signal.
[0107] The end on the downstream side of the second signal path (chain cable 62) is subjected
to the termination processing by the termination unit 58. As mentioned above, since
information is directly obtained from each of the head modules 21 through the first
signal path (network cables 61 and hubs 51 to 55), the control unit 40 does not need
to perform confirmation and processing of the signal from the chain cable 62, and
especially does not need to perform processing of confirming which head module 21
performed the data changing processing or the like from the data that is input in
series.
[0108] The first signal path has hubs 51 to 55 and network cables 61 which connect the control
unit 40 and the seven head modules 21 via the hubs 51 to 55, and each of the seven
head modules 21 has a module control unit 211 which identifies the head module 21
and performs communication.
[0109] Thus, since the image data, command data and the like which are output separately
to each of the head modules 21 from the control unit 40 side can be distributed and
transmitted to each of the head modules 21 at a high speed efficiently by a normal
network connection, it is possible to increase the speed of the image recording operation
easily. Since the IP address does not represent the actual arrangement positions of
the recording heads 23 in such a network connection, by identifying the arrangement
order of the head module 21 as mentioned above, it is possible to easily associate
the IP address with the information on the arrangement position of the recording heads
23 and enable appropriate image data transmission.
[0110] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes four rows of arrangements of seven sets
of recording heads 23 according to the respective colors of C, M, Y and K. The chain
cables 62 of the second signal path are provided to the respective arrangements of
four rows, and can selectively output the control signal for each arrangement. The
control unit 40 obtains information regarding the input status (type) of the control
signal input to the head module 21 for each arrangement of four rows from the head
module 21 through the first signal path, and thereby determines the arrangement (that
is, the color of ejected ink) to which the recording heads 23 corresponding to the
head module 21 belong.
[0111] In such a way, in this inkjet recording apparatus 1, it is possible to easily and
separately identify the head modules 21 for the image recording unit corresponding
to ink of each of the plurality of colors. Accordingly, after identifying the image
recording unit 20, the arrangement order of the head module 21 (arrangement positions
of recording heads 23) belonging to each of the image recording units 20 can be easily
identified as mentioned above.
[0112] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment includes each configuration (which
includes a control unit 40, a head module 21, hubs 51 to 55, network cables 61 and
chain cable 62, and may include the PLC 56, the termination unit 58 and the like)
for the above-mentioned image recording control as the image recording control apparatus,
and seven sets of recording heads 23. By easily identifying and using the arrangement
order of the head modules 21 corresponding to the arrangement positions of respective
recording heads 23 in such an inkjet recording apparatus 1, it is possible to easily
and accurately identify the arrangement of the head modules 21 (recording heads 23
and the corresponding driving circuits 42) in the image recording unit 20 of the inkjet
recording apparatus 1, and transmit the image data and the like. Thus, there is no
trouble of setting for the user at the time of assembly inspection of the inkjet recording
apparatus 1, replacement of the head module 21 and the like, and it is possible to
prevent the generation of errors at the time of manual setting.
[0113] By identifying the arrangement of the plurality of recording heads 23 and the corresponding
head module 21 with the above-mentioned arrangement identification method of the recording
heads 23, it is possible to avoid setting errors and management errors, easily and
appropriately obtain the arrangement information of the recording heads 23 and the
head module 21 corresponding to the recording heads 23, perform setting for control
of the image recording operation, and use this for the mage recording operation, without
requiring addition or change of a large configuration.
[Second Embodiment]
[0114] Next, an inkjet recording apparatus 1 in a second embodiment will be described.
[0115] The outer appearance and the functional configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus
1 in the second embodiment will be respectively same as those shown in FIG 1 and FIG
2, and the explanation thereof is omitted by using same reference numerals.
[0116] FIG. 10 is a schematic view for explaining the signal wiring to each of the head
modules 21 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the second embodiment.
[0117] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment, the control signal is not
output from the head modules 21 which are the lowermost head modules in the connection
orders among the head modules 21 connected by the chain cables 62, that is, located
on the most downstream side, and termination processing is performed by the termination
units 218 included in the respective head modules 21.
[0118] FIGS. 11A and 11B are views for explaining the signal wiring in the head module 21
of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the second embodiment.
[0119] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment, the configuration is different
between the head module 21 which is the lowermost head module in the connection order
and the other head modules (six head modules) among the head modules 21 connected
through the chain cable 62.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 11A, in each of the head modules 21 other than the lowermost head
module 21 in the connection order, there is provided a switching unit 2121a to the
FPGA 212a instead of the switching unit 2121 in the FPGA 212 of the head module 21
in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. The switching unit 2121a
simply switches whether or not to output, from the output terminal 217, the control
signal input from the input terminal 216 on the basis of the control of the module
control unit 211. Accordingly, in a case where the switching element (for example,
MOSFET) of the switching unit 2121a is turned off (released), the control signal is
not output from the output terminal 217.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 11B, in the head module 21 which is the lowermost in the connection
order, as mentioned above, the termination unit 218 is provided instead of the output
terminal 217, and the control signal is not output to the downstream side. Further,
in this head module 21, the FPGA212b does not have the switching unit 2121a, the head
position search signal input from the input terminal 216 is simply divided into two
similarly to the other signals transmitted through the chain cable 62 (print enable
signal and encoder signal). One of the divided signals is input to the termination
unit 218 and the other is input to the module control unit 211.
[0122] Next, the position specification operation of the recording heads 23 and the head
module 21 corresponding to the recording heads 23 in the inkjet recording apparatus
1 in the second embodiment will be described.
[0123] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment, the arrangement of the head
module 21, that is, the recording heads 23 is identified by using information regarding
whether or not there was input to each head module 21 (presence/absence of input)
of the control signal (low voltage signal VL) which was input from the PLC 56 according
to the switching state of the switching unit 2121a.
[0124] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of head
arrangement order specification processing invoked when the head position specification
processing is executed in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment.
[0125] The head arrangement order specification is same as the head arrangement order specification
in the first embodiment except for that the processing of step S501 is divided into
steps S501a and S501b which are respectively arranged at the head of processing and
after processing of step S505. The explanation is omitted by providing same reference
numerals to same processing contents.
[0126] When the head arrangement order specification processing is invoked, the control
unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output a high voltage signal VH to all the image recording
units 20 to initialize the input signal to each of the head modules 21 (step S501a).
The processing of the control unit 40 then proceeds to step S502.
[0127] The control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output a low voltage signal VL to all the
image recording units 20 after changing the switching unit 2121a of the selected head
module 21 to the switching state, that is, the turning off (released state) of the
switching element in the embodiment in the processing of step S505 (step S501b). The
processing of the control unit 40 then proceeds to step S506.
[0128] In a case where the head module 21 not having the switching unit 2121a is selected
in the processing of step S503, this head module 21, to which the instruction was
input in the processing of step S505, may return an error signal indicating not having
the switching unit 2121a to the control unit 40. In this case, the head module 21
is identified as the head module which is the lowermost in the order for not having
the switching unit 2121a (identified as the only one head module 21 in the group on
the lower side of the group including the head module 21). Thus, the control unit
40 may omit the processing of steps S501b to S508.
[0129] Alternatively, before executing (invoking) the head arrangement order specification
processing, the control unit 40 may request each of the head modules 21 to provide
information regarding whether or not the head module 21 has the switching unit 2121a
in advance, and identify the head module 21 returning the information of not having
the switching unit 2121a, that is, the head module 21 which is the lowermost in the
arrangement order. In this case, in the head arrangement order specification processing,
the lowermost head module 21 may be excluded from the selection target for switching
of the switching unit 2121a from first, and may be excluded from the target to request
to provide the voltage level information of the head position search signal.
[0130] In such a way, in a case where the switching unit 2121a is a switching element which
switches on and off, by using that the downstream side of the switching element in
the released state is maintained in a floating state, it is possible to obtain presence/absence
of input of the control signal (low voltage sig al VL) to each of the head modules
21 on the basis of the switching state of voltage level after initialization, and
obtain the positional relationship (arrangement order) of the head module 21. In a
case of a circuit which easily gets grounded due to the electric charges running away
from the downstream side of the switching element in the released state, initialization
may be performed with a ground voltage or a low voltage signal VL close to the ground
voltage and a high voltage signal VH may be output after the selective switching of
the switching element so that the position of the head module 21 (recording heads
23) corresponding to the switching element (switching unit 2121a) is obtained.
[0131] As described above, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the second embodiment,
in a case where the switching unit 2121a does not output the first control signal
(low voltage signal VL) input from the input end side (PLC 56 side, input terminal
216) to the downstream side (output terminal 217), the switching element is released
and the control signal is not output to the downstream side of the switching unit
2121a.
[0132] Thus, it is not necessary to supply the voltage from the constant voltage source
Vcc to each of the switching units 2121a (FPGA 212a). Thus, it is possible to reduce
the circuit design, size and cost of the head module 21, for example, reduce the number
of wiring, and reduce the operation power and the like.
[0133] The control unit 40 causes each of the switching units 2121a to perform switching
in order in a state in which the first control signal (low voltage signal VL) is input
from the input end (PLC 56), and identifies the arrangement of the seven recording
heads 23 by obtaining the presence/absence of input of the first control signal to
each of at least the six head modules 21 (upstream side driving units) from the uppermost
head module 21 to the head module 21 which is immediately above the lowermost head
module 21 in the arrangement order as the information regarding input status from
these six (or all of the seven) head modules 21 through the first signal path.
[0134] In such a way, even in a configuration not outputting any control signal in a case
where the switching unit 2121a does not output the input first control signal, it
is possible to identify the arrangement order of the head module 21 on the basis of
the presence/absence of input of the first control signal to each of the head modules
21 similarly to the first embodiment. Thus, it is not necessary to supply the voltage
from the constant voltage source Vcc to each of the head modules 21, and the configuration
of the head module 21 is simplified.
[0135] The switching unit 2121a may not be provided to the head modules 21 each of which
is the lowermost in the arrangement order. In this case, the arrangement order of
each of the head modules 21 can be identified similarly. If it is possible to identify
in advance that the head module 21 not provided with the switching unit 2121a is the
head module 21 which is the lowermost in the arrangement order, the head module 21
can be excluded from the identification processing of the arrangement order by the
above-mentioned method, and the processing can be omitted one time.
[Third Embodiment]
[0136] Next, an inkjet recording apparatus in a third embodiment will be described.
[0137] Since the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the third embodiment
is same as that of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, the detailed
explanation thereof is omitted by using same reference numerals.
[0138] Next, the position specification operation of the recording heads 23 and the head
module 21 corresponding to the recording heads 23 in the inkjet recording apparatus
1 in the third embodiment will be described.
[0139] In the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment, the module control unit 211
of the head module 21 not only changes the switching state of the switching unit 2121
at the timing when the instruction is obtained from the control unit 40, but also
performs switching of the switching unit 2121 based on the control signal which was
input through the chain cable 62.
[0140] FIGS. 13A and 13B are views for explaining the change in the switching states of
switching unit 2121 and the input/output levels of the signal through the chain cable
62 in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 13A, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment, when
a low voltage signal VL is input as an input signal Vin in a case where the switching
state is set (changed) so as to output the supplied voltage from the constant voltage
source Vcc, each of the switching units 2121 returns the switching state with delay
of a predetermined time, to a state in which the input signal Vin is transmitted and
output as the output signal Vout. As a result, the head modules 21 have different
timings (input periods) of switching the voltage level of the output signal Vout to
the low voltage signal VL in accordance with the connection order of the head modules
21 through the chain cable 62. Accordingly, the differences of the timings directly
indicate the connection orders through the chain cable 62.
[0142] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the
head arrangement order specification processing invoked in the head position specification
processing in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment.
[0143] When the head arrangement order specification processing is invoked, the control
unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output the high voltage signal VH to all the image recording
units 20 (step S521). The control unit 40 outputs a control signal to all the head
modules 21 to cause all the switching units 2121 to switch to the output state of
the supplied voltage (that is, high voltage signal VH) from the constant voltage source
Vcc (step S522).
[0144] The control unit 40 outputs, to all the head modules 21, the instruction to return
the switching state of the switching unit 2121 after elapse of the predetermined time
from detection of the low voltage signal VL, into a state of outputting the signal
input from the input terminal 216 to the output terminal 217 (step S523). The module
control unit 211 of the head module 21 may hold the setting of operating the switching
unit 2121 in such a way from start, or may have a circuit enabling the switching unit
2121 to perform such switching automatically. In this case, the processing of step
S523 is omitted.
[0145] The control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output a low voltage signal VL to all the
image recording units 20 (step S524). The control unit 40 requests all the head modules
21 to provide the voltage level information of the head position search signal (step
S525). The control unit 40 identifies the position (order) of the head module 21 in
accordance with the order of switching of the head position search signal to the low
voltage signal VL (step S526). When the information indicating that the signal was
changed to the low voltage signal VL was once obtained for a head module 21, it is
not necessary to further repeat the request of voltage level information from the
head module 21.
[0146] The control unit 40 determines whether the voltage level of the head position search
signal obtained from every head module 21 switched to the low voltage signal VL (step
S527). If it is determined that the voltage level was not switched (step S527; NO),
the processing of the control unit 40 returns to step S525. If it is determined that
the voltage level was switched (step S527; YES), the control unit 40 ends the head
arrangement order specification processing, and returns the processing to the head
position specification processing.
[0147] If the processing of step S527 proceeds to NO, the timing to execute the processing
of step S525 may be after the elapse of the above-mentioned predetermined time from
the processing of previous step S525.
[Modification Example]
[0148] Next, a modification example of the position specification operation of the recording
heads 23 and the head module 21 corresponding to the recording heads 23 in the inkjet
recording apparatus 1 in the third embodiment will be described.
[0149] FIG. 13B is a view for explaining the change in the switching states of switching
unit 2121 and the input/output levels of the signal through the chain cable 62 in
the modification example.
[0150] In the position specification operation of the modification example, the control
unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output the head position search signal changing the voltage
value in a step manner each predetermined time. In this case, the PLC 56 may output
signals obtained by pulse width modulation (PWM) between the high voltage signal VH
and the low voltage signal VL instead of actually outputting direct current signals
(constant voltage signals) of voltage values which are different from each other.
In this modification example, the minimum required number of steps of the voltage
value is the number smaller than the number of head modules 21 by 1. Alternatively,
the output voltage from the PLC 56 may be simply gradually decreased continuously.
[0151] With respect to the head position search signal, in each of the head modules 21,
the switching unit 2121 operates with a delay of predetermined time from detection
of the input signal Vin of the voltage other than the high voltage signal VH, and
outputs the input signal Vin as the output signal Vout. Thereby, the voltage level
(average voltage value in a case of PWM control) of the input signal Vin from the
detection of the voltage value other than the high voltage signal VH until the operation
of the switching unit 2121 is different for each of the head modules 21. The control
unit 40 can identify the arrangement order of the head module 21 and the recording
heads 23 by obtaining the information regarding the voltage level.
[0152] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the
head arrangement order specification processing for the position specification operation
in the modification example.
[0153] The head arrangement order specification processing is same as the head arrangement
order specification processing in the third embodiment except for that the processing
of steps S525 and S527 is omitted and the processing of steps S523, S524 and s526
are replaced with steps S523a, S524a and S526a, and the explanation thereof is omitted
by providing same reference numerals to the same processing contents.
[0154] After the head arrangement order specification processing is invoked and the processing
of steps S521 and S522 are executed in order, the control unit 40 outputs, to all
the head modules 21, an instruction to change the switching state of the switching
unit 2121 after elapse of a predetermined time from detection of the signal other
than the high voltage signal VH (less than the high voltage signal VH in the modification
example), into a state of outputting the head position search signal, which was input
to the input terminal 216, to the output terminal 217. The control unit 40 obtains
a voltage value (average voltage) in the predetermined time from detection of the
signal other than the high voltage signal VH, and requests output of the voltage level
information to the control unit 40 (step S523a).
[0155] The control unit 40 causes the PLC 56 to output the head position search signal decreasing
the voltage value in a step manner each above-mentioned predetermined time (step S524a).
The control unit 40 receives information of the voltage value input from each of the
head modules 21, and identifies the arrangement order of the head module 21 and the
recording heads 23 in accordance with the order of the voltage value (decreasing order
in the modification example) (step S526a). The control unit 40 ends the head arrangement
order specification processing and returns the processing to the head position specification
processing.
[0156] As described above, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the third embodiment,
when the first control signal (low voltage signal VL) is input from the input end
side, the switching unit 2121 changes the state of switching after a predetermined
time elapsed by the control of the module control unit 211. By having a configuration
in which the voltage level to output is changed according to the arrangement order
in each of the head modules 21 in such a way, it is possible to identify the arrangement
order of all the head modules 21 by inputting the first control signal one time. Accordingly,
the processing can be simplified. Since such processing does not need to cause each
of the head modules 21 to hold the arrangement order itself or perform complicated
processing, it is not necessary to greatly complicate the configuration of the head
module 21 or the contents of the processing operation.
[0157] The control unit 40 obtains the data of the input timing (information corresponding
to the input period) of the first control signal as the information regarding the
input status from each of the head modules 21.
[0158] Thus, it is sufficient that each of the head modules 21 (module control units 211)
outputs the signal indicating that the first control signal was detected to the control
unit 40 at the detection timing of the first control signal (or request timing from
the control unit 40 immediately after the detection timing), and changes the switching
state of the switching unit 2121 after elapse of the predetermined time from the detection
timing. Thus, it is possible to easily and surely identify the arrangement order of
each of the head modules 21 by the control unit 40 without requiring the complicated
processing in the head module 21.
[0159] The head module 21 having the switching unit 2121 has a module control unit 211 which
causes the switching unit 2121 to change the switching state on the basis of the input
control signal. Thus, in comparison to forming and using an electrical electronic
circuit which causes the switching unit 2121 to perform the switching operation after
a predetermined delay time in each of the head modules 21, such processing can be
performed more easily. As the module control unit 211, there can be directly used
a unit which is used for reception of the recording control signal for the driving
operation of the recording head 23 by the driving circuit 42 and the operation for
output of information regarding the switching state of the switching unit 2121 to
the control unit 40, and the processing load thereon is not greatly increased. Thus,
it is possible to suppress the increase of cost and size of the head module 21.
[0160] In the modification example of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the embodiment,
the first control signal is a signal changing the signal contents each predetermined
time, and the control unit 40 identifies the arrangement of the seven recording heads
23 by obtaining, as the information regarding the input status, the contents of the
first control signal until the elapse of the predetermined time from input of the
first control signal, from each of the head modules 21 through the first signal path.
[0161] In such a way, it is sufficient that the voltage level in the first period when the
first control signal was detected is obtained from each of the head modules 21 one
time. Thus, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1, it is possible to surely obtain the
information regarding the arrangement order of the head module 21 while more decreasing
the processing of the control unit 40. Furthermore, as the contents of signal to change,
there is only performed changing the duty ratio by the PWM control between the low
voltage signal VL and the high voltage signal VH, and thereby it is possible to obtain
necessary information by easy processing without applying a large load.
[0162] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications
can be made.
[0163] For example, in the above embodiments, though identification of each of the head
modules 21 using the IP address was performed by using the LAN cable, the USB cable
may be used to connect each of the head modules 21 to the control unit 40 directly
or through a USB hub or the like.
[0164] In the above embodiments, the module control unit 211 of the head module 21 which
caused the switching operation is classified to a set in which the head position search
signal is a low voltage signal VL, and the processing is repeated until all the head
modules 21, including the head module 21, are divided into separate groups each of
which has a single component. This head module 21 is on the most downstream side in
the set in which the head position search signal is the low voltage signal VL. Accordingly,
the arrangement order of the head module 21 which caused the switching operation may
be determined in order by counting the number of the other head modules 21 to which
the low voltage signal VL was input and the number of head modules 21 to which the
high voltage signal VH was input.
[0165] In the above embodiments, the print enable signal, the encoder signal and the head
position search signal are transmitted through respective independent signal lines.
However, as a part of them, especially as the signal line transmitting the head position
search signal, the signal line transmitting the print enable signal or the encoder
signal may be used and the operation may be performed by switching which signal is
to be supplied from the PLC 56 by control of the control unit 40 or the like.
[0166] In the embodiments, in a case where the switching unit 2121 performs the switching
operation, the switching is performed so that the high voltage signal VH is output
from the constant voltage source Vcc. However, the input signal may be inverted between
the high voltage and the low voltage by providing an inverter or the like to the switching
side. The switching unit 2121 may not be provided to the last head module 21 connected
in order by the chain cable 62. That is, the switching unit 2121 is provided to the
head modules 21 from the head module 21 at the head in the connection order (PLC 56
side) to the head module 21 which is connected immediately ahead of the last (termination
unit 58) head module 21 among the head modules 21 connected by the chain cable 62.
[0167] In the above embodiments, the switching unit 2121 has a hardware configuration having
the switching element. However, the module control unit 211 may determine whether
or not to output (invert to other signal), to downstream side, the head position search
signal which was input according to the control signal from the control unit 40 so
that, when the head position search signal is input, whether to output the head position
search signal is switched (the inverted head position search signal or the head position
search signal which is not changed is output) on the basis of the determination.
[0168] The head position search signal is not limited to the signal of a constant voltage
shown in the embodiments. The head position search signal may be a predetermined period
signal or a signal differentiating the phase such as sine wave or pulse wave or a
signal inverting the positive/negative of the voltage. In a case of such a signal
including an alternating current component, the alternating current component attenuates
promptly on the downstream side by the termination unit 58 even if the switching unit
2121 merely switches whether or not to output the head position search signal to the
downstream side as in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the second embodiment. Thus,
it is not necessary to initialize, in advance, the signal input to the head modules
21 on the chain cable 62, that is, all the head modules 21 as in the processing of
step S501a.
[0169] In the third embodiment, each of the head modules 21 returns the switching state
of the switching unit 2121 by counting the predetermined delay time spontaneously
on the basis of the control signal input. However, each of the head modules 21 may
not count the delay time, and the switching state of the switching unit 2121 may be
returned in a case where the output voltage level is a low voltage signal VL at the
same time as or immediately after output of the voltage level information (before
the next request by the control unit 40 to provide the voltage level information)
when the voltage level information is requested at a predetermined time interval by
the control unit 40.
[0170] Even in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the third embodiment, the switching unit
2121 may not switch to the output of the voltage signal supplied from the constant
voltage source Vcc, and the output (transmission) of the voltage signal input from
the input terminal 216 may be switched on/off.
[0171] Similarly, in the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the third embodiment, the head
module 21 which is not provided with the switching unit 2121 may be used as the head
module 21 which is the last in the order. In this case, by executing the head arrangement
order specification processing shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, it is possible to obtain
the arrangement order of all the head modules 21. As described in the specification
operation of the head position for the inkjet recording apparatus 1 in the second
embodiment, in a case where the IP address of the head module 21 is identified in
advance, the head module 21 may be excluded from the output target of each instruction
in the processing of steps S523 and S523a, request in the processing of step S525,
and the like.
[0172] In the embodiments, the head position search signal is output from the PLC 56. However,
the control unit 40 may control other voltage generation circuits or the like to output
the head position search signal.
[0173] In the embodiments, the termination processing is performed by providing the termination
unit 58 to the end on the downstream side of the chain cable 62. However, the end
on the downstream side of the chain cable 62 may be connected to the control unit
40 to input the head position search signal and the like to the control unit 40. Even
in a case where the end on the downstream side of the chain cable 62 is not connected
to the control unit 40, if there is no problem in signal reflection since only the
direct current voltage is applied to the chain cable 62 for the head position search
signal, for example, the termination unit 58 may not be provided to the end on the
downstream side of the chain cable 62, and the insulating member or the like may be
simply used into a released state.
[0174] In the embodiments, the head modules 21 corresponding to respective recording heads
23 which eject ink of four colors of C, M, Y and K are connected through respective
different chain cables 62. However, all the head modules 21 may be connected through
the chain cable 62 in a line in a case where all the recording head 23 are attached
to a same carriage 22, for example.
[0175] In the above embodiments, the inkjet recording apparatus arranging a plurality of
nozzles which eject ink is described as an example. However, the present invention
can also be applied to other image recording apparatuses such as an LED printer which
arranges a plurality of LED light emitting elements, as long as the apparatus has
a similar configuration.
[0176] As for the other specific details such as the configuration, wiring, control contents
and the procedure shown in the embodiments, modification can be made as needed within
the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0177] The present invention can be used for an image recording control apparatus, an image
recording apparatus and a method for identifying arrangement of recording operation
units.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0178]
- 1
- inkjet recording apparatus
- 10
- conveyance unit
- 11
- encoder
- 20, 20C, 20M, 20Y, 20K
- image recording unit
- 20Ca, 20Ma, 20Ya, 20Ka
- upstream side group
- 20Cb, 20Mb, 20Yb, 20Kb
- downstream side group
- 21
- head module
- 211
- module control unit
- 212
- FPGA
- 2121
- switching unit
- 215
- communication connection terminal
- 216
- input terminal
- 217
- output terminal
- 21a-21g
- head module
- 22
- carriage
- 23
- recording head
- 40
- control unit
- 401
- CPU
- 402
- ROM
- 403
- RAM
- 41
- conveyance driving unit
- 42
- driving circuit
- 43
- carriage driving unit
- 44
- communication unit
- 45
- storage unit
- 451
- head arrangement information
- 46
- operatio display unit
- 49
- bus
- 51-55
- hub
- 56
- PLC
- 57
- signal distributer
- 58
- termination unit
- 61
- network cable
- 62
- chain cable
- P
- recording medium
1. An image recording control apparatus (1) , comprising:
a predetermined number of recording operation units (23) and a plurality of recording
elements,
a predetermined number of driving units (21) which respectively drive the predetermined
number of recording operation units (23) which perform a recording operation by the
plurality of recording elements, the predetermined number being two or more;
a control unit (40) which performs a control operation of the predetermined number
of driving units based on an image data content of the recording operation;
a first signal path (51- 55, 61) which connects the control unit and the predetermined
number of driving units in parallel;
a second signal path (62) through which a control signal is input from an input end
to the driving unit that is uppermost in an order determined according to arrangement
of the predetermined number of recording operation units among the predetermined number
of driving units, and which connects the predetermined number of driving units to
each other so that the control signal is transmitted in the order to the driving unit
that is lowermost in the order, characterized by
at least an upstream side driving unit from the uppermost driving unit to the driving
unit which is connected immediately above the lowermost driving unit among the predetermined
number of driving units has a switching unit (2121) which switches whether or not
to output the control signal transmitted through the second signal path from an input
end side to a downstream side opposite to the input end side,
the control unit identifies the arrangement of the predetermined number of recording
operation units by obtaining, through the first signal path, information regarding
an input status of the control signal to at least the upstream side driving unit through
the second signal path corresponding to a switching state of the switching unit, and
the control unit outputs a recording control signal based on the image data content
of the recording operation corresponding to the arrangement to each of the predetermined
number of driving units through the first signal path.
2. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 1, where in the control unit
sets and controls the switching state by the switching unit, and obtains the information
regarding the input status of the control signal through the first signal path for
each setting pattern of the switching state.
3. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when a first
control signal input from the input end side is not output to the downstream side,
the switching unit outputs a second control signal to the downstream side.
4. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit
identifies the arrangement of the predetermined number of recording operation units
by causing each of the switching unit to perform switching in order in a state in
which the first control signal different from the second control signal determined
in advance is input from the input end, and obtaining a type of the control signal
input to each of at least the upstream side driving unit as the information regarding
the input status from at least the upstream side driving unit through the first signal
path.
5. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first
control signal is a predetermined constant voltage signal (VL), and the second control
signal is a constant voltage signal (VH) of a voltage different from the first control
signal.
6. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when a first
control signal input from the input end side is not output to the downstream side,
the switching unit (2121a) does not output the control signal to the downstream side
of the switching unit.
7. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit
identifies the arrangement of the predetermined number of recording operation units
by causing each of the switching unit to perform switching in order in a state in
which the first control signal is input from the input end, and obtaining whether
or not the first control signal is input to each of at least the upstream side driving
unit as the information regarding the input status from at least the upstream side
driving unit through the first signal path.
8. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a first
control signal is input from the input end side, the switching unit changes the switching
state after a predetermined time elapses.
9. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit
obtains information corresponding to an input period of the first control signal as
the information regarding the input status from at least the upstream side driving
unit.
10. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein
the first control signal is a signal which changes a content of the signal each the
predetermined time, and
the control unit identifies the arrangement of the predetermined number of recording
operation units by obtaining the content of the first control signal until elapse
of the predetermined time from input of the first control signal as the information
regarding the input status from at least the upstream side driving unit through the
first signal path.
11. The image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein
the driving unit having the switching unit has a switching control unit (211) which
causes the switching unit to change the switching state based on the input control
signal.
12. The image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein
each of the predetermined number of driving units has the switching unit.
13. The image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein
the second signal path is provided along a signal line which is used for transmission
of a predetermined control signal regarding whether or not to perform the recording
operation.
14. The image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising
a signal output unit (56) which inputs a control signal to the input end, wherein
the signal output unit determines the control signal to be input to the input end
based on control of the control unit.
15. The image recording control apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the signal output
unit is a programmable logic controller.
16. The image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein
the second signal path is subjected to termination processing at an end on the downstream
side.
17. The image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein
the first signal path has a hub (51-55) and a network cable (61) which connects the
control unit and the predetermined number of driving units via the hub, and
the predetermined number of driving units have a communication unit (211) which performs
communication by identifying each of the driving units.
18. The image recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising
a plurality of arrangements each of which is the arrangement of the predetermined
number of recording operation units, wherein
the second signal path is provided to each of the plurality of arrangements, and allows
the control signal to be selectively output for each of the plurality of arrangements,
and
the control unit determines the arrangement to which the recording operation unit
corresponding to the driving unit belongs by obtaining, from the driving unit through
the first signal path, the information regarding the input status of the control signal
which is input to the driving unit for each of the plurality of arrangements.
19. An image recording apparatus (1), comprising;
the image recording control apparatus (40, 21, 51 to 55, 61, 62) according to any
one of claims 1 to 18; and the predetermined number of recording operation units (23)
.
20. A method for identifying arrangement of recording operation units by an image recording
control apparatus that includes: a predetermined number of driving units which respectively
drive the predetermined number of the recording operation units that are provided
in a predetermined arrangement and perform a recording operation corresponding to
the arrangement by a plurality of recording elements; the predetermined number being
two or more; a control unit which performs a control operation of the predetermined
number of driving units based on an image data content of the recording operation;
a first signal path which connects the control unit and the predetermined number of
driving units in parallel; a second signal path through which a control signal is
input from an input end to the driving unit that is uppermost in an order corresponding
to the arrangement of the predetermined number of recording operation units among
the predetermined number of driving units, and which connects the predetermined number
of driving units to each other so that the control signal is transmitted in the order
to the driving unit that is lowermost in the order, characterized by at least an upstream side driving unit from the uppermost driving unit to the driving
unit which is connected immediately above the lowermost driving unit among the predetermined
number of driving units has a switching unit which switches whether or not to output
the control signal transmitted through the second signal path from an input end side
to a downstream side opposite to the input end side, the control unit outputs a recording
control signal based on the image data content of the recording operation corresponding
to the arrangement to each of the predetermined number of driving units through the
first signal path, the method comprising an identification step of identifying the
arrangement of the predetermined number of recording operation units by obtaining,
through the first signal path, information regarding an input status of the control
signal to at least the upstream side driving unit through the second signal path corresponding
to a switching state of the switching unit.
1. Ein Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät (1), umfassend:
eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten (23) und eine Vielzahl
von Aufzeichnungselementen,
eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten (21), die jeweils die vorbestimmte
Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten (23) antreiben, die eine Aufzeichnungsoperation
durch die Vielzahl von Aufzeichnungselementen durchführen, wobei die vorbestimmte
Anzahl zwei oder mehr beträgt;
eine Steuereinheit (40), die einen Steuervorgang der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten
auf der Grundlage eines Bilddateninhalts der Aufzeichnungsoperation durchführt;
einen ersten Signalweg (51- 55, 61), der die Steuereinheit und die vorbestimmte Anzahl
von Antriebseinheiten parallel verbindet;
einen zweiten Signalweg (62), über den ein Steuersignal von einem Eingangsende in
die Antriebseinheit eingegeben wird, die in einer Reihenfolge, die gemäß einer Anordnung
der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten unter der vorbestimmten
Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten bestimmt wird, an oberster Stelle steht, und der die
vorbestimmte Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten miteinander verbindet, so dass das Steuersignal
in der Reihenfolge zu der Antriebseinheit übertragen wird, die in der Reihenfolge
an unterster Stelle steht, gekennzeichnet durch
mindestens eine stromaufwärts gelegene Antriebseinheit von der obersten Antriebseinheit
zu der Antriebseinheit, die unmittelbar oberhalb der untersten Antriebseinheit unter
der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten verbunden ist, weist eine Schalteinheit
(2121) auf, die schaltet, ob das über den zweiten Signalweg von einer Eingangsendseite
zu einer der Eingangsendseite gegenüberliegenden stromabwärts gelegenen Seite übertragene
Steuersignal ausgegeben werden soll oder nicht,
die Steuereinheit identifiziert die Anordnung der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten,
indem sie über den ersten Signalweg Information bezüglich eines Eingangsstatus des
Steuersignals an mindestens die stromaufwärts gelegene Antriebseinheit über den zweiten
Signalweg entsprechend einem Schaltzustand der Schalteinheit erhält, und
die Steuereinheit gibt auf der Grundlage des Bilddateninhalts der Aufzeichnungsoperation
entsprechend der Anordnung an jede der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten
über den ersten Signalweg ein Aufzeichnungssteuersignal aus.
2. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Steuereinheit den Schaltzustand
durch die Schalteinheit einstellt und steuert, und die Information bezüglich des Eingangsstatus
des Steuersignals über den ersten Signalweg für jedes Einstellmuster des Schaltzustandes
erhält.
3. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Schalteinheit ein
zweites Steuersignal an die stromabwärts gelegene Seite ausgibt, wenn ein erstes Steuersignal,
das von der Eingangsendseite eingegeben wird, nicht an die stromabwärts gelegene Seite
ausgegeben wird.
4. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Steuereinheit die Anordnung
der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten identifiziert durch
Veranlassen jeder der Schalteinheit, das Schalten der Reihe nach in einem Zustand
durchzuführen, in dem das erste Steuersignal, das sich von dem im Voraus bestimmten
zweiten Steuersignal unterscheidet, von der Eingangsseite eingegeben wird, und Erhalten
eines Typs des Steuersignals, das in jede von mindestens der stromaufwärts gelegenen
Antriebseinheit eingegeben wird, als die Information bezüglich des Eingangsstatus
von mindestens der stromaufwärts gelegenen Antriebseinheit über den ersten Signalweg.
5. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, wobei das erste Steuersignal
ein vorbestimmtes Konstantspannungssignal (VL) ist und das zweite Steuersignal ein
Konstantspannungssignal (VH) mit einer vom ersten Steuersignal verschiedenen Spannung
ist.
6. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Schalteinheit (2121a)
das Steuersignal nicht an die stromabwärts gelegene Seite der Schalteinheit ausgibt,
wenn ein erstes von der Eingangsendseite eingegebenes Steuersignal nicht an die stromabwärts
gelegene Seite ausgegeben wird.
7. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Steuereinheit die Anordnung
der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten identifiziert durch
Veranlassen jeder der Schalteinheit, das Schalten der Reihe nach in einem Zustand
durchzuführen, in dem das erste Steuersignal von der Eingangsseite eingegeben wird,
und Erhalten, ob das erste Steuersignal in jede von mindestens der stromaufwärts gelegenen
Antriebseinheit als die Information bezüglich des Eingangsstatus von mindestens der
stromaufwärts gelegenen Antriebseinheit über den ersten Signalweg eingegeben wird
oder nicht.
8. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Schalteinheit nach Ablauf
einer vorbestimmten Zeit den Schaltzustand ändert, wenn ein erstes Steuersignal von
der Eingangsendseite eingegeben wird.
9. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Steuereinheit einer Eingangsperiode
des ersten Steuersignals entsprechende Information als die Information bezüglich des
Eingangsstatus von mindestens der stromaufwärts gelegenen Antriebseinheit erhält.
10. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei
das erste Steuersignal ein Signal ist, das einen Inhalt des Signals jeweils zur vorbestimmten
Zeit ändert, und
die Steuereinheit die Anordnung der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten
identifiziert, indem sie den Inhalt des ersten Steuersignals bis zum Ablauf der vorbestimmten
Zeit von der Eingabe des ersten Steuersignals als die Information bezüglich des Eingangsstatus
von mindestens der stromaufwärts gelegenen Antriebseinheit über den ersten Signalweg
erhält.
11. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, wobei die Antriebseinheit,
die die Schalteinheit aufweist, eine Schaltsteuereinheit (211) aufweist, die die Schalteinheit
veranlasst, den Schaltzustand auf der Grundlage des Eingangssteuersignals zu ändern.
12. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei jede der
vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten die Schalteinheit aufweist.
13. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, wobei der zweite
Signalweg entlang einer Signalleitung vorgesehen ist, die zur Übertragung eines vorbestimmten
Steuersignals bezüglich der Frage, ob die Aufzeichnungsoperation durchgeführt werden
soll oder nicht, verwendet wird.
14. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 13, umfassend eine
Signalausgabeeinheit (56), die ein Steuersignal in das Eingangsende eingibt, wobei
die Signalausgabeeinheit das in das Eingangsende einzugebende Steuersignal auf der
Grundlage der Steuerung der Steuereinheit bestimmt.
15. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach Anspruch 14, wobei die Signalausgabeeinheit
eine speicherprogrammierbare Steuerung ist.
16. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 15, wobei der zweite
Signalweg an einem Ende auf der stromabwärts gelegenen Seite einer Abschlussverarbeitung
unterzogen wird.
17. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 16, wobei
der erste Signalweg einen Hub (51-55) und ein Netzwerkkabel (61) aufweist, das die
Steuereinheit und die vorbestimmte Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten über den Hub verbindet,
und
die vorbestimmte Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten eine Kommunikationseinheit (211) aufweist,
die durch Identifizierung jeder der Antriebseinheiten Kommunikation durchführt.
18. Das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 17, umfassend eine
Vielzahl von Anordnungen, von denen jede die Anordnung der vorbestimmten Anzahl von
Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten ist, wobei
der zweite Signalweg für jede der Vielzahl von Anordnungen vorgesehen ist und die
selektive Ausgabe des Steuersignals für jede der Vielzahl von Anordnungen ermöglicht,
und
die Steuereinheit die Anordnung bestimmt, zu der die der Antriebseinheit entsprechende
Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheit gehört, indem sie von der Antriebseinheit über den
ersten Signalweg die Information bezüglich des Eingangsstatus des Steuersignals erhält,
das für jede der Vielzahl von Anordnungen in die Antriebseinheit eingegeben wird.
19. Ein Bildaufzeichnungsgerät (1), umfassend;
das Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät (40, 21, 51 bis 55, 61, 62) nach einem der Ansprüche
1 bis 18; und
die vorbestimmte Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten (23).
20. Ein Verfahren zum Identifizieren einer Anordnung von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten
durch ein Bildaufzeichnungssteuergerät, das folgendes enthält: eine vorbestimmte Anzahl
von Antriebseinheiten, die jeweils die vorbestimmte Anzahl der Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten
antreiben, die in einer vorbestimmten Anordnung vorgesehen sind und eine Aufzeichnungsoperation
entsprechend der Anordnung durch eine Vielzahl von Aufzeichnungselementen durchführen,
wobei die vorbestimmte Anzahl zwei oder mehr beträgt; eine Steuereinheit, die einen
Steuervorgang der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten auf der Grundlage eines
Bilddateninhalts der Aufzeichnungsoperation durchführt; einen ersten Signalweg, der
die Steuereinheit und die vorbestimmte Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten parallel verbindet;
einen zweiten Signalweg, über den ein Steuersignal von einem Eingangsende in die Antriebseinheit
eingegeben wird, die in einer Reihenfolge entsprechend der Anordnung der vorbestimmten
Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten unter der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten
an oberster Stelle steht, und der die vorbestimmte Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten miteinander
verbindet, so dass das Steuersignal in der Reihenfolge zu der Antriebseinheit übertragen
wird, die in der Reihenfolge an unterster Stelle steht,
gekennzeichnet durch mindestens eine stromaufwärts gelegene Antriebseinheit von der obersten Antriebseinheit
zu der Antriebseinheit, die unmittelbar oberhalb der untersten Antriebseinheit unter
der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten verbunden ist, weist eine Schalteinheit
auf, die schaltet, ob das über den zweiten Signalweg von einer Eingangsendseite zu
einer der Eingangsendseite gegenüberliegenden stromabwärts gelegenen Seite übertragene
Steuersignal ausgegeben werden soll oder nicht, die Steuereinheit gibt auf der Grundlage
des Bilddateninhalts der Aufzeichnungsoperation entsprechend der Anordnung an jede
der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Antriebseinheiten über den ersten Signalweg ein Aufzeichnungssteuersignal
aus, wobei das Verfahren einen Identifikationsschritt enthält zum Identifizieren der
Anordnung der vorbestimmten Anzahl von Aufzeichnungsoperationseinheiten durch Erhalten,
über den ersten Signalweg, von Information bezüglich eines Eingangsstatus des Steuersignals
an mindestens die stromaufwärts gelegene Antriebseinheit über den zweiten Signalweg
entsprechend einem Schaltzustand der Schalteinheit.
1. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images (1), comprenant :
un nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération d'enregistrement (23) et une pluralité
d'éléments d'enregistrement,
un nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement (21), qui entraînent chacune le nombre
prédéterminé d'unités d'opération d'enregistrement (23), qui effectuent une opération
d'enregistrement par moyen de la pluralité d'éléments d'enregistrement, le nombre
prédéterminé étant deux ou plus ;
une unité de commande (40), qui effectue une opération de commande du nombre prédéterminé
d'unités d'entraînement sur la base d'un contenu de données d'image de l'opération
d'enregistrement ;
un premier chemin de signal (51 - 55, 61), qui relie l'unité de commande et le nombre
prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement en parallèle ;
un deuxième chemin de signal (62), à travers lequel un signal de commande est entré
à partir d'une extrémité d'entrée dans une unité d'entraînement, qui est la plus haute
dans un ordre déterminé selon la disposition du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération
d'enregistrement parmi le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement, et lequel relie
le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement l'une à l'autre, de sorte que le signal
de commande est transmis selon l'ordre à l'unité d'entraînement, qui est la plus inférieure
dans l'ordre, caractérisé par
au moins une unité d'entraînement du côté amont de l'unité d'entraînement la plus
haute à l'unité d'entraînement, qui est relié immédiatement au-dessus de l'unité d'entraînement
la plus inférieure parmi le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement, comprend
une unité de commutation (2121), qui commute si le signal de commande transmis à travers
le deuxième chemin de signal est sorti ou non à partir d'un côté d'extrémité d'entrée
à un côté aval opposé au côté d'extrémité d'entrée,
l'unité de commande identifie l'agencement du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération
d'enregistrement en obtenant, par le premier chemin de signal, des informations par
rapport au statut d'entrée du signal de commande à au moins l'unité d'entraînement
du côté amont par le deuxième chemin de signal correspondant à un état de commutation
de l'unité de commutation, et
l'unité de commande sort un signal de commande d'enregistrement sur la base du contenu
de données d'image de l'opération d'enregistrement correspondant à l'agencement à
chacune du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement par le premier chemin de signal.
2. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
l'unité de commande établit et commande l'état de commutation par moyen de l'unité
de commutation, et elle obtient les informations par rapport au statut d'entrée du
signal de commande par le premier chemin de signal pour chaque modèle d'établissement
de l'état de commutation.
3. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication
2, dans lequel si une première entrée de signal de commande à partir du côté d'extrémité
d'entrée n'est pas sortie au côté aval, l'unité de commutation sort un deuxième signal
de commande au côté aval.
4. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 3, dans lequel
l'unité de commande identifie l'agencement du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération
d'enregistrement en provoquant que chacune des unités de commutation effectue une
commutation dans l'ordre dans un état, dans lequel le premier signal de commande différent
du deuxième signal de commande déterminé en avance est entré à partir de l'extrémité
d'entrée, et en obtenant un type de l'entrée de signal de commande dans au moins l'unité
d'entraînement du côté amont comme les informations par rapport au statut d'entrée
d'au moins l'unité d'entraînement du côté amont par le premier chemin de signal.
5. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 3 ou la revendication
4, dans lequel le premier signal de commande est un signal de tension constante prédéterminée
(VL) et le deuxième signal de commande est un signal de tension constante (VH) d'une
tension différente de celle du premier signal de commande.
6. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication
2, dans lequel si une première entrée de signal de commande à partir du côté d'extrémité
d'entrée n'est pas sortie au côté aval, l'unité de commutation (2121a) ne sort pas
le signal de commande au côté aval de l'unité de commutation.
7. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 6, dans lequel
l'unité de commande identifie l'agencement du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération
d'enregistrement en provoquant que chacune des unités de commutation effectue une
commutation dans l'ordre dans un état, dans lequel le premier signal de commande différent
du deuxième signal de commande déterminé en avance est entré à partir de l'extrémité
d'entrée, et en obtenant l'information si le premier signal de commande est entré
ou non dans au moins l'unité d'entraînement du côté amont comme les informations par
rapport au statut d'entrée d'au moins l'unité d'entraînement du côté amont par le
premier chemin de signal.
8. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
si un premier signal de commande est entré à partir du côté d'extrémité d'entrée,
l'unité de commutation change l'état de commutation après qu'une période prédéterminée
se soit écoulée.
9. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 8, dans lequel
l'unité de commande obtient des informations correspondant à une période d'entrée
du premier signal de commande comme les informations par rapport au statut d'entrée
d'au moins l'unité d'entraînement du côté amont.
10. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 8 ou la revendication
9, dans lequel
le premier signal de commande est un signal, qui change un contenu du signal pour
chaque période prédéterminée, et
l'unité de commande identifie l'agencement du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération
d'enregistrement en obtenant le contenu du premier signal de commande jusqu'à l'écoulement
de la période prédéterminée à partir de l'entrée du premier signal de commande comme
les informations par rapport au statut d'entrée d'au moins l'unité d'entraînement
du côté amont par le premier chemin de signal.
11. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon l'une quelconque des revendications
8 à 10, dans lequel l'unité d'entraînement comprenant l'unité de commutation comprend
une unité de commande de commutation (211), qui provoque que l'unité de commutation
change l'état de commutation sur la base du signal de commande entré.
12. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 11, dans lequel chacune du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement comprend
l'unité de commutation.
13. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 12, dans lequel le deuxième chemin de signal est prévu le long d'une ligne de
signal, qui est utilisée pour la transmission d'un signal de commande prédéterminé
par rapport au fait, s'il faut effectuer l'opération d'enregistrement ou non.
14. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 13, comprenant une unité de sortie de signal (56), qui entre un signal de commande
à l'extrémité d'entrée, dans lequel l'unité de sortie de signal détermine le signal
de commande à entrer à l'extrémité d'entrée sur la base d'une commande de l'unité
de commande.
15. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon la revendication 14, dans lequel
l'unité de sortie de signal est un contrôleur logique programmable.
16. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 15, dans lequel le deuxième chemin de signal est soumis à un traitement de cessation
à une extrémité sur le côté aval.
17. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 16, dans lequel
le premier chemin de signal comprend un concentrateur (51-55) et un câble de réseau
(61), qui relie l'unité de commande et le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement
via le concentrateur, et le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement comprennent
une unité de communication (211), qui effectue une communication en identifiant chacune
des unités d'entraînement.
18. Appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 17, comprenant une pluralité d'agencements, dont chacun est l'agencement du nombre
prédétermine d'unités d'opération d'enregistrement, dans lequel
le deuxième chemin de signal est prévu pour chacun de la pluralité d'agencements et
permet au signal de commande d'être sélectivement sorti pour chacun de la pluralité
d'agencements, et
l'unité de commande détermine l'agencement, auquel l'unité d'opération d'enregistrement
correspondant à l'unité d'entraînement appartient en obtenant, de l'unité d'entraînement
par le premier chemin de signal, les informations par rapport au statut d'entrée du
signal de commande, qui est entré à l'unité d'entraînement pour chacun de la pluralité
d'agencements.
19. Appareil d'enregistrement d'images (1), comprenant :
l'appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images (40, 21, 51 à 55, 61, 62) selon l'une
quelconque des revendications 1 à 18 ; et
le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération d'enregistrement (23).
20. Procédé d'identification d'agencements d'unités d'opération d'enregistrement par moyen
d'un appareil de commande d'enregistrement d'images, qui comprend : un nombre prédéterminé
d'unités d'entraînement, qui entraînent chacune le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération
d'enregistrement, qui sont prévues dans un agencement prédéterminé et effectuent une
opération d'enregistrement correspondant à l'agencement par moyen d'une pluralité
d'éléments d'enregistrement, le nombre prédéterminé étant deux ou plus ; une unité
de commande, qui effectue une opération de commande du nombre prédéterminé d'unités
d'entraînement sur la base d'un contenu de données d'image de l'opération d'enregistrement
; un premier chemin de signal, qui relie l'unité de commande et le nombre prédéterminé
d'unités d'entraînement en parallèle ; un deuxième chemin de signal, à travers lequel
un signal de commande est entré à partir d'une extrémité d'entrée dans l'unité d'entraînement,
qui est la plus haute dans un ordre correspondant à l'agencement du nombre prédéterminé
d'unités d'opération d'enregistrement parmi le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement,
et lequel relie le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement l'une à l'autre, de
sorte que le signal de commande est transmis selon l'ordre à l'unité d'entraînement,
qui est la plus inférieure dans l'ordre, caractérisé par
au moins une unité d'entraînement du côté amont de l'unité d'entraînement la plus
haute à l'unité d'entraînement, qui est relié immédiatement au-dessus de l'unité d'entraînement
la plus inférieure parmi le nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'entraînement, comprend
une unité de commutation, qui commute si le signal de commande transmis à travers
le deuxième chemin de signal est sorti ou non à partir d'un côté d'extrémité d'entrée
à un côté aval opposé au côté d'extrémité d'entrée, l'unité de commande sort un signal
de commande d'enregistrement sur la base du contenu de données d'image de l'opération
d'enregistrement correspondant à l'agencement à chacune du nombre prédéterminé d'unités
d'entraînement par le premier chemin de signal, le procédé comprenant une étape d'identification
pour identifier l'agencement du nombre prédéterminé d'unités d'opération d'enregistrement
en obtenant, par le premier chemin de signal, des informations par rapport à un statut
d'entrée du signal de commande à au moins l'unité d'entraînement du côté amont par
le deuxième chemin de signal correspondant à un état de commutation de l'unité de
commutation.