Ink container and printer using the same

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an ink container attached to and detached from a printing apparatus used as an inkjet printer or an inkjet plotter. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for processing information regarding an ink container.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In the inkjet printing device, in order to avoid interruption of printing during the printing process, the remaining amount of ink in the ink container is calculated on the printing device main body side based on the amount of ink ejected from the printing head, and the remaining amount of ink is reduced. It is equipped with a configuration that sometimes notifies that fact.

【0003】

Further, an ink container provided with a storage element for storing ink information such as an ink type and an ink amount in the ink container has also been proposed. When the ink container holds these ink information, the printing apparatus to which the ink container is mounted can read the stored ink information and execute a printing process suitable for the ink used.

【0004】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, since the ink container is a consumable item, it is required to be cheaper. Therefore, it is not possible to use a storage element having a large storage capacity as the storage element of the ink container. On the other hand, in order to acquire more detailed information about the ink container, there is a demand for storing more information about the ink container in the storage element.

【0005】

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is possible to efficiently store information about the ink container such as the remaining amount of ink in the storage element while reducing the cost of the ink container having the storage element. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink container, a printing device using the ink container, a method for writing information on the ink container, and a storage device provided in the ink device.

【0006】

[Means for solving problems and their actions / effects]

In order to solve the above problems, the first aspect of the present invention provides an ink container to be mounted on a printing apparatus. The ink container includes a storage device for storing a plurality of predetermined information related to the ink container, and the storage device combines a storage area having a minimum number of bits required for storing each predetermined information. It is characterized by having.

【0007】

Since the first aspect of the present invention has a storage area in which a region having a minimum number of bits required for storing predetermined information is combined, the remaining amount of ink and ink in the storage element can be reduced while reducing the cost of the ink container. Information about the ink container such as the date of manufacture can be efficiently stored.

【0008】

In the first aspect of the present invention, the predetermined information may include information related to the manufacture of the ink container. Further, the storage area includes a 7-bit capacity manufacturing year storage area for storing the manufacturing year information of the ink container, a 4-bit capacity manufacturing month storage area for storing the manufacturing month information of the ink container, and the above. It can include a manufacturing date storage area with a capacity of 5 bits for storing the manufacturing date information of the ink container. Further, each of the storage areas may be arranged in the order of the year of manufacture storage area, the month of manufacture storage area, and the day of manufacture storage area. Further, the storage area includes a 5-bit capacity manufacturing storage area for storing the manufacturing information of the ink container and a 6-bit capacity manufacturing storage area for storing the manufacturing information of the ink container. be able to.

【0009】

In the first aspect of the present invention, the storage area includes an expiration date storage area having a capacity of 6 bits for storing the expiration date information of the ink in the ink container, and the expiration date information after opening the ink in the ink container. It can contain a post-opening expiration date storage area with a capacity of 5 bits to store. In addition, each of the storage areas is arranged in the order of the year of manufacture storage area, the month of manufacture storage area, the date of manufacture storage area, the storage area at the time of manufacture, the storage area for manufacture, the expiration date storage area, and the expiration date storage area after opening. You may.

【0010】

In the first aspect of the present invention, the storage device has an address counter that outputs a count value based on a clock signal output from the printing device, and has the storage area and is sequential based on the count value output. It can be equipped with a storage element that is accessed by. Further, the storage device has an ink amount information storage area for storing information related to the ink amount in the ink container, and the ink amount information storage area is arranged at a position to be accessed before the manufacturing-related information. Can be done.

【0011】

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of writing predetermined information in a storage device included in the ink container of the first aspect of the present invention mounted on a printing device. In this method, a plurality of the predetermined information including the information related to the ink container is generated, and the generated predetermined information is combined with the minimum number of bits required for storing the predetermined information in the storage device. It is characterized by writing in.

【0012】

In the second aspect of the present invention, since the predetermined information is written to the storage device in a combination of the minimum number of bits required for storing the predetermined information, the ink residue in the storage device is reduced while reducing the cost of the ink container. Information about the ink container such as the amount and the date of ink production can be efficiently stored.

【0013】

A third aspect of the present invention provides a printing apparatus to which any of the ink containers of the first aspect of the present invention is mounted and used.

【0014】

Since the third aspect of the present invention is used together with an ink container having a storage area in which a region having a minimum number of bits required for storing predetermined information is combined, the cost of the ink container is reduced and the inside of the storage element is used. Information about the ink container such as the remaining amount of ink and the date of manufacture of ink can be efficiently stored.

【0015】

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a storage device provided in an ink container that is mounted on a printing device and in which predetermined information is read and written by the printing device. This storage device is characterized by having a storage area in which a region having a minimum number of bits necessary for storing each predetermined information is combined.

【0016】

A fourth aspect of the present invention has a storage area in which a region having a minimum number of bits required for storing predetermined information is combined, so that the remaining amount of ink and ink in the storage element can be reduced while reducing the cost of the ink container. Information about the ink container such as the date of manufacture can be efficiently stored.

【0017】

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined information can include information related to the manufacture of the ink container. Further, the storage area includes a 7-bit capacity manufacturing year storage area for storing the manufacturing year information of the ink container, a 4-bit capacity manufacturing month storage area for storing the manufacturing month information of the ink container, and the above. It can include a manufacturing date storage area with a capacity of 5 bits for storing the manufacturing date information of the ink container. Further, each of the storage areas may be arranged in the order of a manufacturing year storage area, a manufacturing month storage area, and a manufacturing date storage area. Further, the storage area includes a 5-bit capacity manufacturing storage area for storing the manufacturing information of the ink container and a 6-bit capacity manufacturing storage area for storing the manufacturing information of the ink container. be able to.

【0018】

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage area includes an expiration date storage area having a capacity of 6 bits for storing the expiration date information of the ink in the ink container, and the expiration date information after opening the ink in the ink container. It can contain a post-opening expiration date storage area with a capacity of 5 bits to store. In addition, each of the storage areas is arranged in the order of the year of manufacture storage area, the month of manufacture storage area, the date of manufacture storage area, the storage area at the time of manufacture, the storage area for manufacture, the expiration date storage area, and the expiration date storage area after opening. You may.

【0019】

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage device includes an address counter that outputs a count value based on a clock signal output from the printing device, and the storage element sequentially outputs a count value based on the output count value. It may be accessed. Further, the storage device has an ink amount information storage area for storing information related to the ink amount in the ink container, and the ink amount information storage area is arranged at a position to be accessed before the manufacturing-related information. Can be done.

【0020】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on some suitable examples with reference to the drawings. The explanation will be given in the following order.

[First Example] (Overall configuration of inkjet printing equipment) (Explanation of control IC200) (Structure of ink cartridge and cartridge mounting part) (Operation of inkjet printer 1) (Composition of memory elements 80K and 80F) (Read processing from memory elements 80K, 80F) (Effect of the first embodiment) [Other Examples] [0021] [0021]

[First Example] (Overall Configuration of Inkjet Printing Device) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an inkjet printer (printing device) to which the present invention is applied, which is used in each of the following examples. In FIG. 1, the printer 1 of this embodiment is used in a state of being connected to a computer PC together with a scanner SC or the like. When the operating system and a predetermined program are loaded and executed on the computer PC, all of these devices function as a printing device as a whole. In the computer PC, the application program runs on the predetermined operating system, and the image is displayed on the CRT display MT while performing the predetermined processing on the image read from the scanner SC. When the user gives an instruction to print after performing a process such as retouching the image on the display MT, the printer driver built into the operating system is activated and the image data is transferred to the printer 1.

【0022】

The printer driver converts the processed original color image data input from the scanner SC into data of each color used by the printer 1 and outputs the data to the printer 1. Specifically, the original color image data consists of three color components, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), which are color-converted and output to printer 1 as black (black). The process of converting to each color of K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y), and the so-called binarization that replaces this with the presence or absence of ink dots. Perform processing and so on. Since these image processes are well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that such processing can also be performed on the printer 1 side as described later.

【0023】

The carriage 101 is connected to the carriage motor 103 of the carriage mechanism 12 via a timing belt 102, and is guided by the guide member 104 to reciprocate in the paper width direction of the printing paper 105 (medium). The inkjet printer 1 also has a paper feed mechanism 11 using a paper feed roller 106. An inkjet printing head 10 is attached to the carriage 101 on a surface facing the printing paper 105, or on the lower surface in the example shown in this figure. The print head 10 receives ink from the ink cartridges 107K and 107F (ink containers) held on the carriage 101, and ejects ink droplets onto the printing paper 105 to form dots as the carriage 101 moves. Then, print images and characters on the printing paper 105.

【0024】

The ink storage chamber 117K of the ink cartridge 107K is filled with black (K) ink. Further, a plurality of ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, and 107Y are independently formed in the ink cartridge 107F. These ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, and 107Y are filled with cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) inks, respectively. .. Therefore, ink of each color is supplied to the print head 10 from the ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, and 107Y, respectively. Each of these inks is ejected from the print head 10 as ink droplets of each color to realize color printing.

【0025】

A capping device 108 is arranged in the non-printing area (non-storage area) of the inkjet printer 1 to seal the nozzle opening of the print head 10 while the printing process is paused. With this capping device 108, it is possible to suppress an increase in ink viscosity or formation of an ink film due to volatilization of the solvent component of the ink during the pause of the printing process. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the nozzles from being clogged during the suspension of the printing process. Further, the capping device 108 receives ink droplets from the print head 10 due to the flushing operation performed during the execution of the printing process. A wiping device 109 is arranged in the vicinity of the capping device 108, and the wiping device 109 wipes off ink slag and paper dust adhering to the surface of the print head 10 by wiping the surface of the print head 10 with a blade or the like.

【0026】

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, in the inkjet printer 1, the printer main body 100 (printing apparatus main body) is composed of a print controller 40 and a print engine 5. The print controller 40 performs various data processing, including an interface 43 that receives print data including multi-value gradation information from a computer, a RAM 44 that stores various data such as print data including multi-value gradation information, and so on. ROM 45 that stores routines for this, a control unit 46 that consists of a CPU, etc., an oscillation circuit 47, a drive signal generation circuit 48 that generates a drive signal COM to the print head 10, and printing expanded on dot pattern data. It is equipped with a parallel input / output interface 49 that performs functions such as transmitting data and drive signals to the print engine 5.

【0027】

Further, the control lines of the panel switch 92 and the power supply 91 are also connected to the print controller 40 via the parallel input / output interface 49. When the power OFF is input by the panel switch 92, the print controller 40 outputs a power down command (NMI) to the power supply 91, and the power supply 91 enters the standby state. In this standby state, the power supply 91 supplies standby power to the print controller 40 via a power supply line (not shown). That is, the power supply to the print controller 40 is not completely cut off in the normal power-off operation performed via the panel switch 92.

【0028】

Further, the print controller 40 monitors whether or not a predetermined power is supplied from the power supply 91, and issues a power down command (NMI) even when the power plug is unplugged from the outlet. The power supply 91 is provided with a compensating power supply device (for example, a capacitor) in order to realize power supply for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) even after the plug is unplugged from the outlet.

【0029】

In addition, the print controller 40 is also equipped with an EEPROM 90 that stores information about the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F mounted on the carriage 101 (see FIG. 1), which will be described in detail later. , This EEPROM 90 stores predetermined information such as information (ink remaining amount or ink consumption amount) related to the ink amount in the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F. Furthermore, the print controller 40 has an address that converts the addresses of the memory cells 81K and 81F (described later) of the storage elements 80K and 80F (described later) that the control unit 46 desires to access (read / write) into the number of clocks. The decoder 95 is provided.

【0030】

(Explanation of Control IC 200) A control IC 200 that controls reading and writing to each ink cartridge 107F, 107F (memory elements 80K, 80F) is connected to the print controller 40. This control IC 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the carriage 110 of the inkjet printer to which this embodiment can be applied. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the connection relationship between the printer main body 100, the control IC 200, and the storage elements 80K and 80F.

【0031】

As shown in FIG. 3, the control IC 200 is provided on the print head 10. The control IC 200 contacts the storage elements 80K and 80F via the contact mechanism 130 arranged on the carriage 101, and writes predetermined information as requested. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the control IC 200 is connected to the print controller 40 via the parallel input / output interface 49, and is also connected to the storage elements 80K and 80F, respectively.

【0032】

The print controller 40 outputs an input signal RxD and a command selection signal SEL, and writes predetermined information to the control IC 200 at predetermined time intervals. Here, the predetermined time interval is, for example, a time interval every time the printing process of one page is completed, every time the printing process of several rasters is completed, or every time manual cleaning is executed. Further, the predetermined information includes, for example, information on the remaining amount of ink, the number of times of cleaning, the number of times of mounting, the mounting time, and the name of the model used. In contrast, control IC200 is an input signal RxD, receiving a command selection signal SEL, each storage element 80K, in advance read out from 80F to output signal information print controller 40 desires among the information stored Output as TxD to the print controller 40.

【0033】

In the inkjet printer 1, the ink ejection amount can be calculated by multiplying the weight of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzle opening 23 and the number of times the ink droplets are ejected. The remaining amount of ink is a pump mechanism that is communicated to the capping device 108 by pressing the capping device 108 against the printing head 10 to seal the nozzle opening when an abnormality occurs due to the mixing of air bubbles in the printing head 10 and this ink ejection amount. It can be calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount based on the ink suction amount consumed when the ink is sucked and returned by (not shown) from the ink remaining amount before the start of the printing operation. Such calculation of the remaining amount of ink is performed by the control unit 46 based on a program stored in the ROM 45 or the like in advance while using the data stored in the EEPROM 90 or the like.

【0034】

In the printer 1 of the embodiment, as described above, the binarized data is received, but the arrangement of this data does not match the actual arrangement of the nozzles of the print head 10. Therefore, the control unit 46 divides the RAM 44 into a receive buffer 44A, an intermediate buffer 44B, and an output buffer 44C, and performs a dot data array rearrangement process. It is also possible to control that the color conversion and binarization processing are performed on the printer 1 side. In such a case, the printer 1 holds the print data including the multi-valued gradation information sent from the computer PC or the like in the reception buffer 44A inside the printing apparatus via the interface 43, and performs the following processing. The print data held in the receive buffer 44A is sent to the intermediate buffer 44B after the command analysis is performed. In the intermediate buffer 44B, the print data as an intermediate format converted into an intermediate code is held by the control unit 46, and the process of adding the print position of each character, the type of modification, the size, the font address, etc. is controlled. Performed by part 46. Next, the control unit 46 analyzes the print data in the intermediate buffer 44B, decodes the gradation data, and then expands and stores the binarized dot pattern data in the output buffer 44C.

【0035】

In any case, when the dot pattern data corresponding to one scan of the print head 10 is obtained, the dot pattern data is serially transferred to the print head 10 via the parallel input / output interface 49. When the dot pattern data corresponding to one scan is output from the output buffer 44C, the contents of the intermediate buffer 44B are erased and the next conversion process is performed.

【0036】

The print engine 5 includes a print head 10, the paper feed mechanism 11, and the carriage mechanism 12. The paper feed mechanism 11 sequentially feeds out a printing medium such as printing paper to perform sub-scanning, and the carriage mechanism 12 mainly scans the print head 10.

【0037】

The print head 10 ejects ink droplets from each nozzle opening toward the print medium at a predetermined timing in order to form the generated dot pattern data on the print medium. The drive signal COM generated by the drive signal generation circuit 48 is output to the element drive circuit 50 of the print head 10 via the parallel input / output interface 49. Here, the print head 10 is formed with as many pressure generating chambers 32 and piezoelectric vibrators 17 (pressure generating elements) communicating with the nozzle opening 23 as the number of nozzle openings 23, and is predetermined from the element drive circuit 50. When the drive signal COM is given to the piezoelectric vibrator 17, the pressure generating chamber 32 contracts, and ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle opening 23.

【0038】

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the layout of the nozzle openings formed in the print head. As shown in FIG. 3, the print head 10 has nozzle openings 23 corresponding to black (K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y). Are lined up in rows for each color.

【0039】

(Structure of Ink Cartridge and Cartridge Mounting Part) In the inkjet printer 1 configured in this way, the basic structures of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are common. Therefore, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the structure of the ink cartridge and the structure for mounting the cartridge on the printer main body 100 will be described by taking the black ink cartridge 107K as an example.

【0040】

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion of the printer main body 100. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge, the internal structure of the cartridge mounting portion on the carriage, and the state in which the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

【0041】

In FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 107K (107F) is incorporated in a synthetic resin cartridge main body 171 constituting an ink storage portion 117K (117F) for accommodating ink inside and a side frame portion 172 of the cartridge main body 171. It is equipped with a storage element 80K (80F) (storage means). When the ink cartridge 107K is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 18 of the printer main body 100, the storage element 80K exchanges various data with and from the printer main body 100. Since the storage element 80K is mounted in the recess 173 whose lower side is open with respect to the side frame portion 172 of the ink cartridge 107K, only a plurality of connection terminals 174 are exposed. Alternatively, the whole may be exposed.

【0042】

On the other hand, in the cartridge mounting portion 18, the needle 181 is arranged upward at the bottom 187 of the space for mounting the ink cartridge 107K. Around the needle 181 is a recess 183 that receives the ink supply unit 175 formed in the ink cartridge 107K. Cartridge guides 182 are formed at three locations on the inner wall of the recess 183. A connector 186 is arranged on the inner wall 184 of the cartridge mounting portion 18, and a plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 are electrically connected to the connector 186 when the ink cartridge 107K is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 18. A plurality of electrodes 185 are formed.

【0043】

Next, the procedure for mounting the ink cartridge 107K on the cartridge mounting portion 18 will be described. First, the ink cartridge 107K is arranged in the cartridge mounting portion 18. A fixing lever 192 is attached to the rear wall portion 188 of the cartridge mounting portion 18 via a support shaft 191. When the fixing lever 192 is tilted so as to cover the ink cartridge 107K, the ink cartridge 107K is pushed downward. The ink supply unit 175 fits into the recess 183, and the needle 181 pierces the ink supply unit 175 to supply ink. Further, when the fixing lever 192 is tilted, the locking portion 193 formed at the tip of the fixing lever 192 engages with the engaging tool 189 formed on the cartridge mounting portion 18, and the ink cartridge 107K is fixed. In this state, the plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 of the ink cartridge 107K and the plurality of electrodes 185 of the cartridge mounting portion 18 are electrically connected to each other, and the printer body 100 and the storage element 80 are connected via the control IC 200. Data can be exchanged between them.

【0044】

Since the structure of the ink cartridge 107K is basically the same as that of the color ink cartridge 107F, the description thereof will be omitted. However, in the color ink cartridge 107F, each ink storage chamber needs to be filled with inks for five colors, and these inks need to be supplied to the print head 10 by following different paths. Therefore, in the color ink cartridge 107F, the ink supply unit 175 is formed by the number of ink colors. Although the ink cartridge 107F contains ink for five colors, only one storage element 80 is built in the ink cartridge 107F, and the information of the ink cartridge 107F and each color are contained in this one storage element 80. Ink information is stored in a batch.

【0045】

(Operation of Inkjet Printer 1) Next, the basic operation executed by the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment from power on to power off will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing executed when the power is turned on. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process executed before the power is turned off in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment.

【0046】

A processing routine executed by the control unit 46 after the power is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. When the power of the inkjet printer 1 is turned on, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the ink cartridges 107K and 107F have been replaced (step S30). This determination is made, for example, by referring to the ink cartridge replacement flag when the EEPROM 90 has the ink cartridge replacement flag, or based on the manufacturing time and minute data and the manufacturing serial of each ink cartridge 107K, 107F. It can be done by determining if the 107F has been replaced. If the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are not replaced and the power is simply turned on (step S30: No), the stored data is read from the storage elements 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F (step S31).

【0047】

On the other hand, when it is determined that the ink cartridges 107K and 107F have been replaced (step S30: Yes), the control unit 46 increments the number of attachments by one and the storage elements 80K of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, respectively. Write to 80F (step S32). Then, the control unit 46 reads out the stored data from the storage elements 80K and 80F of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F (step S31). The data read at this time is the data required by the print controller 40, for example, the year of manufacture data, the month of manufacture data, the validity period, the validity period after opening, and the like. It is the control IC 200 that directly executes the read processing on the storage elements 80K and 80F, and the processing executed by the control IC 200 will be described in detail later.

【0048】

Subsequently, the control unit 46 writes each of the read data to a predetermined address of the EEPROM 90 or the RAM 44 (step S33). The control unit 46 determines whether or not the mounted ink cartridges 107K and 107F are compatible with the inkjet printer 1 based on the data stored in the EEPROM 90 (step S34). If it matches (step S34: Yes), the printing process is permitted (step S35), and the printing preparation is completed (this processing routine ends). On the other hand, if they do not match (step S34: No), the fact that the printing process is not permitted and the printing process cannot be performed is displayed on the panel switch 92 or on the display (step S36).

【0049】

When the printing process is permitted, the inkjet printer 1 performs a predetermined printing operation. At this time, the control unit 46 executes a process of calculating the remaining amount of ink. The ink remaining amount is calculated by subtracting the ink consumption amount consumed in connection with the printing process calculated from the ink remaining amount read out earlier. In the calculation of the ink consumption amount, for example, the ink ejection amount for each color is calculated by multiplying the ink droplet weight and the number of times the ink droplets are ejected, and the calculated ink ejection amount and the above-mentioned suction operation are consumed. It is executed by adding the amount of ink sucked. The control unit 46 writes the calculated latest ink remaining amount as ink remaining amount data in the EEPROM 90.

【0050】

Here, the newly calculated remaining amount of ink is written to the storage elements 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F after the power switch is turned off by the panel switch 92 of the inkjet printer 1.

【0051】

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the power switch of the panel switch 92 of the inkjet printer 1 is turned off, it is first determined in step ST11 whether or not the inkjet printer 1 is on standby (step ST11). If it is not waiting (step ST11: NO), it terminates the sequence in progress (step ST12) and returns to step ST11. On the other hand, when the inkjet printer 1 is on standby (step ST11: YES), after capping the print head 10 (step ST13), the drive conditions of the print head 10, for example, the voltage value of the drive waveform. , The information content that stores the color ID, etc. that performs color correction between each color is stored (step ST14). Subsequently, the timer value is memorized (step ST15), and the contents of the control panel, for example, the adjustment value at the time of bidirectional printing is memorized (step ST16). Next, the remaining amount of ink stored in the EEPROM 90 is stored in the second storage areas 660 and 760 of the storage elements 80K and 80F of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F (step ST17).

【0052】

(Structure of storage elements 80K and 80F) The internal configurations of the storage elements 80K and 80F will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal configurations of the storage elements 80K and 80F shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal data structure (memory map) of the storage element 80K for each information item on the right side and the address of the control IC 200 as seen from the printing apparatus main body 100 on the left side. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal data structure (memory map) of the storage element 80F for each information item on the right side and the address of the control IC 200 as seen from the printing apparatus main body 100 on the left side. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the correlation between the address in the storage elements 80K and 80F and the address in the control IC 200 (print controller 40).

【0053】

In both the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, an ink accommodating portion for accommodating ink is formed inside, and storage elements 80K and 80F are built in. As these storage elements 80K and 80F, in this embodiment, As shown in the block diagram in FIG. 10, the memory cells 81K and 81F, the read / write control units 82K and 82F that control the reading and writing of data in the memory cells 81K and 81F, and the read / write based on the clock signal CLK. An EEPROM equipped with address counters 83K and 83F for counting up when reading and writing data between the printer main body 100 and the memory cells 81K and 81F via the control units 82K and 82F is used. The addresses of the storage elements 80K and 80F are addresses specified in 1-bit units, and when the addresses of the storage elements 80K and 80F are referred to in the present specification, the start address of the area where the information should be stored ( First bit).

【0054】

Next, the data structure of the memory cell 81K of the storage element 80K of the ink cartridge 107K will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The memory cell 81K (memory element 80K) has addresses 00 to 18 indicating a read / write area 650 and addresses 28 to 66 indicating a read-only area 660. In this embodiment, the remaining amount information of black ink is stored in the address 00 of the memory cell 81K with an 8-bit capacity. Further, the print head cleaning count information is stored in the address 08, and the ink cartridge 107K mounting count information is stored in the address 10 in an 8-bit capacity. Further, the address 18 stores the installation time information in a 16-bit capacity. In this way, since the data regarding the remaining amount of black ink is assigned to the start address of the address that can be read / written, the data regarding the remaining amount of black ink can be written first.

【0055】

The initial value of the data regarding the remaining amount of ink is, for example, 100 when expressed as a percentage, and decreases to 0 as the printing process is executed. Alternatively, the amount of ink consumed may be used instead of the remaining amount of ink. In this case, the initial value is, for example, 0 when expressed as a percentage, and increases to 100 as the printing process is executed. In calculating the percentage, the printer main body 100 has the maximum ink capacity data of the ink cartridges 1107K and 1107F, and the percentage is calculated based on the maximum ink capacity data and the actual ink consumption. Alternatively, the maximum capacity may be stored in the storage elements 1080 and 1082 of the ink cartridges 1107K and 1107F.

【0056】

When the ink consumption amount is used, a value of 0 to 90% can be written as the initial value of the ink consumption amount data. Normally, when no data is written, the memory data is "indefinite", but by writing a value of 0 to 90%, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not ink has been used. .. In addition, it is possible to reliably detect that the amount of ink held is indicated on the premise that proper correction is performed during use. Further, by setting the maximum value of the ink consumption data to 90%, it is possible to prevent the ink from running out during the printing process.

【0057】

In the case of a half-size cartridge whose ink capacity is half that of a standard size cartridge, the initial value of ink remaining amount or ink consumption may be 50, or the initial value of ink remaining amount is 100 or the initial value of ink consumption. The value may be set to 0 and the rate of decrease or increase may be doubled. In such a case, when the standard size cartridge and the half size cartridge can be used together, the ink remaining amount can be managed on the same scale.

【0058】

Information related to the manufacture of the ink container is stored in each address in a combination of the minimum number of bits (storage capacity) required for storing the information according to each information. Therefore, the storage capacities corresponding to each information are unequal in length to each other. For example, the manufacturing year information is stored in the address 28 with a capacity of 7 bits, the manufacturing month information is stored in the capacity of 4 bits in the address 2F, and the manufacturing date information is stored in the capacity of 5 bits in the address 33. Further, the manufacturing information is stored in the address 38 with a capacity of 5 bits, the manufacturing information is stored in the address 3D with a capacity of 6 bits, and the manufacturing serial number information is stored in the address 43 with a capacity of 8 bits. In addition, address 4B stores the recycling count information in a 3-bit capacity, address 60 stores the ink validity period information in a 6-bit capacity, and address 66 stores the post-opening validity period information in a 5-bit capacity. ing.

【0059】

Next, the data structure of the memory cell 81F of the storage element 80F of the color ink cartridge 107F will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The memory cell 81F (memory element 80F) has addresses 00 to 38 indicating a read / write area 750 and addresses 48 to 89 indicating a read-only area 760. Address 00 of memory cell 81F has cyan ink remaining amount information, address 08 has magenta ink remaining amount information, address 10 has yellow ink remaining amount information, and address 18 has light cyan ink capacity information. , Address 20 stores the remaining amount information of light magenta ink with a capacity of 8 bits each.

【0060】

Further, the address 28 stores the information on the number of times the print head is cleaned, and the address 30 stores the information on the number of times the ink cartridge 107F is attached, each having an 8-bit capacity. Further, the address 38 stores the installation time information in a 16-bit capacity. In this way, since the data relating to the remaining amount of each color ink is assigned to the start address of the address that can be read / written, the data relating to the remaining amount of each color ink can be written first. Also, since the ink remaining amount information for each color of cyan, magenta, and yellow is assigned to the first 3 bytes (32 bits), and the ink remaining amount information for each color of light cyan and light magenta is assigned to the following 2 bytes (16 bits). It can be applied as it is to a three-color ink cartridge composed of three colors of cyan, magenta and yellow.

【0061】

Here, the initial value of the remaining amount of ink is, for example, 100 when expressed as a percentage, and decreases to 0 as the printing process is executed. Alternatively, the amount of ink consumed may be used instead of the remaining amount of ink. In this case, the initial value is, for example, 0 when expressed as a percentage, and increases to 100 as the printing process is executed. Since the handling of data relating to the remaining amount of ink in color ink is the same as the handling of data relating to the remaining amount of ink in black ink, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

【0062】

Information related to the manufacture of the ink container is stored in each address in a combination of the minimum number of bits (storage capacity) required for storing the information according to each information. Therefore, the storage capacities corresponding to each information are unequal in length to each other. For example, the manufacturing year information is stored in the address 48 with a capacity of 7 bits, the manufacturing month information is stored in the capacity of 4 bits in the address 4F, and the manufacturing date information is stored in the capacity of 5 bits in the address 54. Further, the manufacturing information is stored in the address 59 with a capacity of 5 bits, the manufacturing information is stored in the address 5E with a capacity of 6 bits, and the manufacturing serial number information is stored in the address 64 with a capacity of 8 bits. In addition, address 6C stores the recycling count information in a 3-bit capacity, address 83 stores the ink validity period information in a 6-bit capacity, and address 89 stores the post-opening validity period information in a 5-bit capacity. ing.

【0063】

Further, the address of the control IC 200 as seen from the printing device main body 100 side will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown in the figure, of the lower 8-bit addresses of the control IC 200, addresses 00 to 10 are assigned to information related to the storage element 80K of the ink cartridge 107K, and addresses 20 to 34 are assigned to information related to the storage element 80F of the ink cartridge 107F. Assigned. Each address is assigned a data length of 1 or 2 bytes.

【0064】

The relationship between the address on the control IC 200 side (print controller 40 side) and the address on the storage elements 80K and 80F sides will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, each data is stored in 1-byte units on the control IC 200 side, whereas it is stored in 1-bit units on the storage elements 80K and 80F. That is, while data less than 1 byte is stored in the 1-byte area on the control IC200 side, each data is stored in the minimum required number of bits on the storage elements 80K and 80F, so that each data area is stored. There is no free space in between.

【0065】

(Read processing from the storage elements 80K and 80F) Next, the decoding process performed when the control IC 200 executes the read processing for the storage elements 80K and 80F by the instruction from the printer main body 100 (print controller 40). Will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing routine executed by the control IC 200 during the read process, and FIG. 15 is a timing chart when the read process is executed.

【0066】

When this processing routine starts, the control IC 200 sets the CS signal as a low level and resets the address counters 83K and 83F in the storage elements 80K and 80F (step S200). The control IC 200 then sets the CS signal to a high level and activates the storage elements 80K and 80F (step S210). Subsequently, the control IC 200 specifies the read operation for the storage elements 80K and 80F by setting the W / R signal to a low level (step S220). The control IC 200 outputs a number of clock pulses corresponding to the addresses desired by the print controller 40 received from the print controller 40 to the storage elements 80K and 80F (step S230). In such an address conversion process, the control IC 200 converts the start address * Adf and the final address * Ade of the addresses (bit data) of the memory cells 81K and 81F desired to be read by the control unit 46 into the number of clock pulses. Subsequently, the control IC 200 outputs * Adf-1 clock pulses to the storage elements 80F and 80K, and further outputs * Ade-Adf clock pulses to the storage elements 80K and 80F.

【0067】

Since the address counters 83K and 83F in the storage elements 80K and 80F increment the address in bit units at the timing when the clock signal falls, the control IC 200 specifies a desired address (step S240). Since the data stored in the storage elements 80K and 80F is output to the data bus when the clock pulse falls, the control IC 200 corresponds to the desired address by managing the value of the address canter desired to be read. Output data, for example, year of manufacture data, month of manufacture data, validity period data, validity period data after opening, etc. are temporarily stored (step S250).

【0068】

Since the read data is bit unit data and serial data, the control IC 200 converts the bit data into byte data and parallel data (step S260). The control IC 200 outputs data to the print controller 40 as byte data and parallel data (step S270). After this, the read process is terminated. As described above, in this embodiment, the address is specified in bit units and is incremented in bit units.

【0069】

(Effect of the First Example) As described above, in the present embodiment, the information related to the manufacture of the ink container is continuously obtained by combining the regions of the minimum number of bits required according to each information. It has a configuration that is stored at each address. Therefore, the limited storage capacity of the storage elements 80K and 80F can be effectively used. That is, it is possible to allocate and use the area that is allocated but unused when the length is fixed to the storage area that stores other information, and even if the storage capacity is the same, more. Kind of information can be stored.

【0070】

Further, in this embodiment, when data storage such as the remaining amount of ink is performed using the storage elements 80K and 80F of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, the storage elements are used in both the black and color ink cartridges 107K and 107F. Since inexpensive EEPROMs that can only be accessed sequentially are used as 80K and 80F, ink cartridges 107K and 107F can be provided at a cost that matches the nature of being a consumable item.

【0071】

Further, the rewritable areas 650 and 750 in the storage elements 80K and 80F are addresses that are accessed before the areas 660 and 760 in which the read-only data is stored. Therefore, even if the panel switch 92 is configured to rewrite the data for the rewritable areas 650 and 750 after the power switch is turned off, the data rewriting can be completed before the power plug is unplugged from the outlet. As a result, even if the cost of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is reduced by using the inexpensive storage elements 80K and 80F that can only be accessed sequentially, there is an advantage that data rewriting abnormality is unlikely to occur.

【0072】

[Other Embodiments] In the first embodiment, the address counters 83K and 83F of the type that count up are used, but an address counter that counts down may be used, and in this case as well, in the first embodiment. The data array may be changed so that the writable areas 650 and 750 are accessed before the read-only areas 660 and 760. That is, the writable areas 650 and 750 are arranged at a higher address than the read-only areas 660 and 760. More specifically, the information on the remaining amount of ink arranged at the start address may be arranged at the final address.

【0073】

Further, each of the above embodiments is for either an on-carriage type printing device in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage 101 or an off-carriage type printing device in which the ink cartridge is not mounted on the carriage 101. Can also be applied.

【0074】

Further, in each of the above embodiments, EEPROM is used as the storage elements 80K and 80F, but instead, a sequential access type dielectric memory (FEROM) or the like may be used. The flash memory falls into the category of the above EEPROM.

【0075】

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the remaining amount of ink is used as the information related to the amount of ink, but the cumulative amount of ink consumed in the ink container may be used instead.

【0076】

Further, instead of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F used in each embodiment, the ink cartridge 500 as shown in FIG. 16 may be used. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 500 according to another embodiment.

【0077】

The ink cartridge 500 contains a porous body (not shown) impregnated with ink in a container 51 formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and its upper surface is sealed with a lid 53. Inside the container 51, five ink accommodating portions (for example, 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, 107Y in the ink cartridge 107F) for accommodating five color inks separately are formed. Ink supply ports 54 are formed on the bottom surface of the container 51 at positions facing the ink supply needles when mounted on the holder, according to each ink color. Further, at the upper end of the vertical wall 55 on the ink supply port side, an overhanging portion 56 that engages with the protrusion of the lever on the main body side is integrally formed. The overhang 56 is formed separately on both sides of the container 55 and has ribs 56a. Further, a rib 57 on a triangle is formed between the lower surface and the wall 55. Further, the container 55 has a recess 59 for preventing erroneous insertion.

【0078】

On the ink supply port forming side of the vertical wall 55, a recess 58 is formed so as to be located at the center in the width direction of each cartridge 500, and the circuit board 31 is mounted therein. The circuit board 31 has a plurality of contacts on the surface facing the contacts of the main body, and a storage element is mounted on the back surface thereof. Further, the vertical wall 55 is formed with protrusions 55a and 55b and overhanging portions 55c and 55d for positioning the circuit board 31.

【0079】

Further, in each of the above examples, five colors of magenta, cyan, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta were used as the color inks, but other color combinations or other colors, for example, dark yellow, were added 6 The present invention can be applied even when it is colored or the like.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a perspective view which shows the main part of the inkjet printer to which this invention is applied.

[Figure 2]

It is a functional block diagram of the inkjet printer shown in FIG.

[Fig. 3]

It is an exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the carriage of the inkjet printer used in this Example.

[Fig. 4]

It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the connection relationship with a printer body, a control IC and a storage element.

[Fig. 5]

It is explanatory drawing which shows the layout of the nozzle opening formed in the print head shown in FIG.

[Fig. 6]

It is a perspective view which shows the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting part.

[Fig. 7]

It is sectional drawing which shows the state which the ink cartridge was mounted on the cartridge mounting part.

[Fig. 8]

It is a flowchart which shows the process which is executed at power-on.

[Fig. 9]

It is a flowchart which shows the process which is executed until the power is turned off in the inkjet printer 1 of this embodiment.

[Fig. 10]

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the storage element shown in FIG.

[Fig. 11]

It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal data structure (memory map) of the storage element for each information item on the right side, and the address of the control IC seen from the printing apparatus main body on the left side.

[Fig. 12]

It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal data structure (memory map) of the storage element for each information item on the right side, and the address of the control IC seen from the printing apparatus main body on the left side.

[Fig. 13]

It is explanatory drawing which shows the correlation of the address in a memory cell and the address in a control IC (print controller).

[Fig. 14]

It is a flowchart which shows the read processing routine which is executed with respect to a storage element by a control IC.

[Fig. 15]

It is a timing chart when the reading process of FIG. 14 is executed.

[Fig. 16]

It is a perspective view which shows the appearance structure of the ink cartridge 500 which concerns on another Example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Inkjet printer (inkjet printing device) 5 ... print engine 10 ... print head 17 ... Piezoelectric oscillator 23 ... Nozzle opening 40 ... print controller 46 ... Control unit 80K, 80F ... Memory element 81K, 80F ... Memory cell 82K, 80F ... Reed / write control unit 83K, 80F ... Address counter 95 ... address decoder 100 ... Printer body 107K, 107F ... Ink cartridge (ink container) 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, 107Y ... Ink storage 200 ... Control IC 650, 750 ... writable area 660, 760 ... Read-only area COM ... drive signal