Included are embodiments for providing a service station interface. Some embodiments of a system include a service station for receiving a handheld jet dispensing apparatus in a service compartment of the service station and a memory component. The memory component may store logic that, when executed by a processor, causes the system to determine if a maintenance function is to be implemented on the handheld jet dispensing apparatus, in response to determining that the maintenance function is to be implemented, determine if the service station is closed, and if the service station is closed, engage an interface function of the service station during the maintenance function, wherein the interface function is related to accessing the service compartment. In some embodiments, the logic causes the system to determine that the maintenance function has ended and, in response to determining that the maintenance function has ended, disengage the interface function.

An inspection signal output circuit including an electrode. The inspection signal output circuit outputs an inspection signal indicating an electrical change in the electrode when a head is driven to eject liquid from a nozzle toward the electrode. A controller performs an inspection operation sequentially for a plurality of nozzles. The inspection operation includes driving the head to eject liquid from the nozzle toward the electrode, acquiring the inspection signal output from the inspection signal output circuit, and determining whether there is an abnormality in ejection of liquid in the nozzle based on the acquired inspection signal. The controller performs, as the inspection operation, a first-type inspection of acquiring the inspection signal in a first order for the plurality of nozzles, and a second-type inspection of acquiring the inspection signal in a second order for the plurality of nozzles. The second order is different from the first order.

The amount of ink in a cap at the time of end of printing initiated by a print command is estimated, and it is determined whether an open suction action is to be performed based on the estimated post-printing ink amount to prevent spillover of the ink and reduce downtime due to the open suction action.

The seal member can be held in close contact with the head unit by being elastically deformed according to the shape of the head unit including the head (seal close contact operation). Accordingly, the drying of the nozzles can be prevented by isolating the nozzles inside the seal members from the atmosphere outside the seal members. Further, the cap can be brought into contact with the head unit while the seal member is separated from the head unit (cap contact operation). In this cap contact operation, the cap in contact with the head unit allow air flows between the outside and inside of the cap. At the time of purging, the cap contact operation is performed, whereby the cap is caused to face the nozzles and the ink flowing out from the nozzles is received by the cap.

A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes: an ejecting head made of metal and having an ejection surface; an electrode which moves relative to the ejection surface; a voltage source generating a potential difference between the ejecting head and the electrode; an electric current detector detecting an electric current between the ejecting head and the electrode; and a controller. The controller is configured to: calculate a flying speed of the liquid droplet based on a first distance between the ejecting head and the electrode and a time during which the electric current flows between the ejecting head and the electrode; and calculate an ejection bending amount, based on a time after the liquid droplet is ejected from the ejecting head in a state that the ejection surface and the electrode are apart from each other by a second distance and until the liquid droplet lands on the electrode.

The amount of ink in a cap at the time of end of printing initiated by a print command is estimated, and it is determined whether an open suction action is to be performed based on the estimated post-printing ink amount to prevent spillover of the ink and reduce downtime due to the open suction action.

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a body, a liquid discharge head, a liquid receptacle, an instruction device, and circuitry. The liquid discharge head discharges a liquid. The liquid receptacle is replaceable by detachably attaching to the body. The liquid receptacle stores a waste liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head. The instruction device displays an instruction and receives code data assigned to the liquid receptacle. The circuitry causes the instruction device to display the instruction to replace the liquid receptacle storing the waste liquid, an amount of which is greater than a threshold, with another liquid receptacle, and causes the instruction device to display the instruction to input the code data assigned to another liquid receptacle.

A liquid ejection apparatus includes a head having a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles that eject a liquid are opened, a carriage that moves along first direction intersecting vertical direction while supporting the head, a cap that covers the nozzle surface, and a moving unit that moves the cap along the vertical direction between a cap position at which the cap covers the nozzle surface and a separated position at which the cap is separated from the nozzle surface, wherein the moving unit is operable by an operator from a front side along second direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction.

A liquid ejection apparatus includes a head having a nozzle surface, a carriage that moves along a first direction while supporting the head, a support portion that supports a medium when the head ejects the liquid toward the medium, a maintenance portion that is provided in the first direction with respect to the support portion, and a housing that houses the maintenance portion. The housing includes a housing main body in which an opening portion is formed, and a cover configured to open and close the opening portion. The maintenance portion includes a cap and a wiping portion that is movable to a wiping position where the nozzle surface is wiped and a retracted position farther from the head than the wiping position. The support portion, the cap, the wiping portion located at the wiping position, and the opening portion are arranged in order in the first direction.

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head having a discharge face having a nozzle from which a liquid is discharged to a medium; a carriage, to which the liquid discharge head is mountable, and reciprocally movable in a main-scanning direction; a guide supporting the carriage to guide the carriage to move in the main-scanning direction; a cap to contact and seal the discharge face of the liquid discharge head; a suction device connected to the cap; and a cap cleaner, supported and guided by the guide to move in the main-scanning direction, to drop a cleaning liquid to the cap.