JP2003072098A - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing idle printing due to use of an ink cartridge in which no ink remains. SOLUTION: An ink unit provided with an ink storage unit capable of storing a usage amount information value indicating an amount of used ink, and the ink unit is detachable, and the usage amount information value of the ink storage unit is stored. In a printing apparatus having a printing apparatus main body comprising: a main body storage unit for reading and storing; and a writing unit for writing a new usage amount information value in the ink storage unit, an ink storage unit may be provided for storing the ink in the ink storage unit. If the usage information value read from the means is different from the initial usage information value, a value larger than the usage information value read is written to the ink storage means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints using ink supplied from a removable ink unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus such as an ink jet printer used in a computer system includes a printing apparatus main body and an ink unit which is detachably attached to the printing apparatus main body and contains ink to be supplied to the printing apparatus main body. Is equipped with.

This ink unit is provided with an ink storage means for storing the used amount of ink that has already been used, the remaining amount of remaining ink, and the like. The data of the ink storage means is read into the main body storage means of the printing apparatus main body when the printing apparatus is powered on (on) and when the ink unit is attached, and when the printing apparatus power is turned off and the ink unit is removed. At times, the ink usage amount and the remaining amount calculated based on the printing operation of the printing apparatus main body are stored in the ink storage unit. Therefore, even if the ink remains in the ink unit and is removed from the printer body and then mounted again on the printer body, or even if another ink unit is mounted, the printer body remains The usage amount and the remaining amount of the mounted ink unit can be recognized, and when the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink unit becomes low, a warning is issued to the user to urge replacement of the ink unit.

[0004]

However, when the amount of ink used or the remaining amount stored in the ink storage means and the amount of used ink or the remaining amount stored in the main body storage means are different due to some factor, the user is required to do so. I cannot know the right time to replace the ink unit. Therefore, for example, when the usage amount stored in the main body storage means is larger than the true usage amount of the ink unit, the ink remains in the ink unit and the ink unit is still available for use, but If the replacement is forced and the usage amount of the main body storage device is smaller than the true usage amount of the ink storage means, the printing device main body performs the printing operation without ink. There is a problem that such a printing operation in the absence of ink, that is, so-called blank ejection, may cause an excessive load on the print head and damage the print head.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a printing apparatus capable of suppressing blank ejection due to use of an ink cartridge in which ink does not remain. .

[0006]

The main object of the present invention is to store ink used in the printing apparatus main body and to provide an ink storage means capable of storing a usage amount information value indicating the amount of the used ink. A unit, a main body storage unit to which the ink unit is detachable and which reads and stores the usage amount information value of the ink storage unit, and a writing unit which writes a new usage amount information value to the ink storage unit. In the printing apparatus having the printing apparatus main body provided with, the printing apparatus main body is provided with the ink provided in the ink unit prior to the writing of a new usage amount information value into the ink storage unit by the writing unit. The usage amount information value stored in the storage means is read, and the read usage amount information value is stored in the main body storage means as an initial value for the ink unit. Amount if the information value is different from the printing apparatus, characterized in that writing in the ink storage means the value larger than the usage information value read as the new usage information value.

Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION === Summary of Disclosure === By the description in the detailed description of the invention in the present specification,
At least the following is revealed.

An ink unit containing ink used in the printer body and having an ink storage means capable of storing a usage amount information value indicating the amount of ink used, and the ink unit is removable. And a printing apparatus main body including a main body storage unit for reading and storing the usage amount information value of the ink storage unit and a writing unit for writing a new usage amount information value in the ink storage unit. In the apparatus, the printing apparatus main body stores the usage amount information value stored in the ink storage unit provided in the ink unit before writing the new usage amount information value in the ink storage unit by the writing unit. If the read usage amount information value differs from the initial usage amount information value stored in the main body storage means as the initial value for the ink unit, Printing device and writes to the ink storage means a value greater than the usage information value read as the new usage information value.

According to such a printing apparatus, when a new usage amount information value is written in the ink storage means, the usage amount information value is read from the ink unit mounted in the printing apparatus main body at that time. A value larger than the used amount information value is written in the ink storage means while using the read used amount information value as a reference. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink unit from becoming empty, and it is possible to prevent damage to the print head due to blank ejection. Also, before the new usage information value is written,
Even if the initial use amount information value of the main body storage means and the use amount information value of the ink storage means are largely different, the true ink amount remaining in the ink unit and the new use amount information value to be written are large. Since the possibility of difference is reduced, the possibility of wasting ink is reduced.

A value larger than the read usage amount information value is written as a new usage amount information value in the ink storage means because the usage amount information value read from the ink unit mounted at that time and the main body storage means. Since the initial use amount information values stored in are different from each other, when the proper use amount information values are stored in those storage means, that is, the use amount information values of the main body storage means and the ink storage means are If they match, it becomes possible to write and store an accurate usage amount information value as a new usage amount information value.

Further, the initial usage amount information value is a usage amount information value read from the ink storage means when the power of the printing apparatus main body is turned on or when the ink unit is mounted, and is written in the ink storage means. For the new usage information value, the difference between the initial usage information value and the cumulative usage information value calculated based on the printing operation is added to the usage information value read prior to writing the new usage information value. A printing device characterized by a specified value.

According to such a printing apparatus, the new usage amount information value is changed from the time when it was stored in the main body storage means last time.
A value obtained by adding the amount of ink used by the printing process performed up to the time of writing a new usage amount information value to the ink storage means to the usage amount information value of the ink unit installed at that time. Therefore, it does not become smaller than the usage amount information value indicating the true ink usage amount of the ink unit. Therefore, since the ink in the ink unit does not become empty before the usage amount information value indicating the unusable ink amount is reached, it is possible to prevent damage to the print head due to blank ejection.

Further, an ink unit for accommodating ink used in the main body of the printing apparatus and having an ink storage means capable of storing a remaining amount information value indicating the amount of remaining ink, and
The printing in which the ink unit is detachable, and includes main body storage means for reading and storing the remaining amount information value in the ink storage means, and writing means for writing a new remaining amount information value in the ink storage means In a printing apparatus having an apparatus main body, the printing apparatus main body is stored in the ink storage unit provided in an ink unit before writing a new remaining amount information value in the ink storage unit by the writing unit. Read the remaining amount information value, and when the read remaining amount information value is different from the initial remaining amount information value stored in the main body storage means as the initial value for the ink unit, it is smaller than the read remaining amount information value. The value may be written in the ink storage means as a new remaining amount information value.

Further, the initial remaining amount information value is the remaining amount information value read from the ink storage means when the power of the printing apparatus main body is turned on or when the ink unit is attached, and is written in the ink storage means. For the new remaining amount information value, the difference between the initial remaining amount information value and the cumulative remaining amount information value calculated based on the printing operation is subtracted from the remaining amount information value read before writing the new remaining amount information value. It may be a value.

=== Schematic Configuration of Printing Apparatus === First, with reference to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration mainly of the outside of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a color printer CP as an example of a printing apparatus. This color printer CP
Has a printer main body 10 as a printing apparatus main body, and a roll paper unit 30 as a printing target unit detachably attached to the printer main body 10.

The color printer CP is a printer capable of outputting a color image. For example, four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are used as roll paper. And an inkjet printer that forms an image by forming dots by ejecting onto a printing medium. In addition, as color ink,
In addition to the above four colors, light cyan (light cyan, L
C), light magenta (light magenta, LM), and dark yellow (dark yellow, DY) may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer CP
Has a structure for ejecting a printing medium such as printing paper supplied from the back from the front, an operation panel 11 and a paper ejection unit 12 on the front of the printer body 10, and a paper feeding unit on the back. 13 are provided. The operation panel 11 is provided with various operation buttons 111 and a display lamp 112. The paper discharge unit 12 includes a paper discharge tray 121 that closes a paper discharge port when not in use. The paper feed unit 13 includes a paper feed holder 131 that holds cut paper (not shown), a roll paper unit holder 20 that holds the roll paper unit 30,
21 is provided.

In the present embodiment, the printer body 10 has the roll paper unit 30. However, it is not always necessary.

=== Internal Structure of Color Printer CP ==
= Next, the internal configuration of the color printer CP will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the color printer CP according to this embodiment.

The color printer CP, as shown,
Print heads IH1 to IH4 mounted on the carriage 40
And a mechanism for driving ink to eject ink and form dots,
The carriage 40 includes a mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 40 in the axial direction of the platen 42, a mechanism for conveying the printing roll paper 32 supplied from the roll paper unit 30 by the paper feed motor 43, and a control circuit 50. is doing.

A mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 40 in the axial direction of the platen 42 is installed in parallel with the shaft of the platen 42, and a sliding shaft 44 for slidably holding the carriage 40.
And the endless drive belt 4 between the carriage motor 41 and
It is composed of a pulley 46 and the like on which 5 is stretched.

The mechanism for conveying the printing roll paper 32 supplied from the roll paper unit 30 includes a platen 42, a paper feed motor 43 for rotating the platen 42, a paper feed auxiliary roller (not shown), and a paper feed motor 43. It has a gear mechanism 48 that transmits the rotation to the platen 42 and the paper feed auxiliary roller, and an encoder 47 that detects the rotation angle of the platen 42.

The control circuit 50 is the operation panel 1 of the printer.
While exchanging signals with 1, the movements of the paper feed motor 43, the carriage motor 41, and the print heads IH1 to IH4 are appropriately controlled. The printing roll paper 32 of the roll paper unit 30 held by the roll paper unit holders 20 and 21 of the color printer CP is set so as to be sandwiched between the platen 42 and the paper feed auxiliary roller, and is set to the rotation angle of the platen 42. A predetermined amount is sent accordingly.

An ink cartridge INC1 and an ink cartridge INC2 as an ink unit are mounted on the carriage 40. Each ink cartridge INC
1 and INC2 are provided with a storage element 80 for storing an ink usage amount information value indicating the amount of used ink. The ink cartridge INC2 contains black (K) ink, and the ink cartridge INC1 contains other inks, that is, three color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Light cyan (LC), light magenta (LM), dark yellow (D)
As described above, the ink of Y) can also be stored.

The print heads IH1 to IH4 are provided with nozzles for ejecting ink droplets. When air bubbles are mixed into the nozzle or clogging occurs, a capping device 62 that seals the nozzle and a pump mechanism (not shown) that communicates with the nozzle are provided in the non-printing area of the printer body 10. Cleaning is performed to suck ink.

=== Configuration of Ink Cartridge and Cartridge Mounting Section === In the color printer CP configured in this way, ink cartridges INC1 and IN as ink units are provided.
The basic structure of C2 is common. Therefore, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the structure of the ink cartridge INC2 for black and the structure for mounting this cartridge in the printer body 10 will be described as an example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion of the printer body 10. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge, the internal structure of the cartridge mounting portion on the carriage 40, and the manner in which the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion.

In FIG. 3, the ink cartridge INC
Reference numeral 2 includes a cartridge body 171 made of a synthetic resin that constitutes an ink containing portion 117K that contains ink therein, and a storage element 80 (ink storage means) built in a side frame portion 172 of the cartridge body 171. There is. This storage element 80 is provided when the ink cartridge INC2 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 18 of the printer body 10.
Various types of data are exchanged with the printer body 10. Since the storage element 80 is mounted in the recess 173 whose lower side is open to the side frame portion 172 of the ink cartridge INC2, only the plurality of connection terminals 174 are exposed.

On the other hand, in the cartridge mounting portion 18, the needle 181 is arranged upward at the bottom portion 187 of the space for mounting the ink cartridge INC2. This needle 1
Around 81 is a recess 183 that receives the ink supply portion 175 formed in the ink cartridge INC2. 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 the cartridge mounting portion 18 is attached to the connector 186.
A plurality of electrodes 185 to which the plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 are electrically connected when the ink cartridge INC2 is mounted are formed.

Next, a procedure for mounting the ink cartridge INC2 on the cartridge mounting portion 18 will be described.
First, the ink cartridge I is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 18.
Place NC2. Rear wall portion 1 of the cartridge mounting portion 18
A fixed lever 192 is attached to the 88 via a support shaft 191, and when the fixed lever 192 is tilted so as to cover the ink cartridge INC2, the ink cartridge INC2 is pushed downward and the ink supply unit 175 is recessed in the recess 183. The needle 181 and the ink supply unit 1
The ink can be supplied by piercing 75. Further, when the fixing lever 192 is tilted down, the locking portion 193 formed at the tip of the fixing lever 192 engages with the engaging member 189 formed on the cartridge mounting portion 18, and the ink cartridge I
NC2 is fixed. In this state, the plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 of the ink cartridge INC2 and the plurality of electrodes 185 of the cartridge mounting portion 18 are electrically connected to each other, and data is transferred between the printer body 10 and the storage element 80. Is possible.

Since the structure of the ink cartridge INC2 is basically the same as that of the color ink cartridge INC1, its description will be omitted. However, in the color ink cartridge INC1, it is necessary to fill each of the ink storage chambers with ink of five colors and supply these inks to the print head by following different paths. Therefore, the color ink cartridge I
In NC1, the ink supply units 175 are formed by the number of ink colors. Although the ink cartridge INC1 contains five colors of ink, only one storage element 80 is built in the ink cartridge INC1, and the storage amount information of the ink cartridge INC1 is stored in one storage element 80. The values and the ink information of each color are collectively stored.

=== Configuration of Storage Element 80 Provided in Ink Cartridge === FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage element 80 incorporated in the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 used in the color printer CP of this embodiment. Is. Ink cartridge IN
In both C1 and INC2, an ink containing portion for containing ink is formed inside, and
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, in this embodiment, a memory cell 81 and a read / write control unit that controls the reading and writing of data in the memory cell 81 are built-in. 82, and an address counter 83 that counts up when reading and writing data between the printer body 10 and the memory cell 81 via the read / write control unit 82 based on the clock signal CLK.

The memory cell 81 of the storage element 80 provided in the black ink cartridge INC2 has two storage areas for storing rewritable data.
The printer body 10 can perform both reading and writing with respect to the data stored in the storage area.

Here, the rewritable data stored in the two storage areas are the first usage amount information value of black ink and the second usage amount information value of black ink, and the two storage areas are allocated. The reason is that data is rewritten alternately in these areas. Therefore, the value stored in one of the storage areas is the last rewritten usage information value, and the value stored in the other storage area is stored one time before the last rewritten usage information value. The usage information value is stored, and the next rewrite is
This is performed for the other storage area.

In one of the storage areas, a usage amount information value indicating that the ink cartridge is unused, for example, 0 (%) is stored as an initial value when the ink cartridge is shipped. In this usage amount information value, the cumulative usage amount is shown as a percentage, where 100 is the usable ink amount. The usable ink amount is set to be slightly smaller than the ink amount actually stored in the ink cartridge, and even when the used amount information value is 100 (%), a small amount of ink remains in the cartridge, It is set so that runaway does not occur.

The memory cell 81 of the storage element 80 provided in the color ink cartridge INC1 also has ten storage areas for storing rewritable data. The printer body 10 can execute both reading and writing with respect to the data stored in the storage area.

Here, the rewritable data stored in the storage area is 10 in the order of initial access.
The first cyan ink remaining amount data, the second cyan ink remaining amount data, the first magenta ink remaining amount data, the second magenta ink remaining amount data, and the first cyan ink remaining amount data respectively assigned to the respective storage areas. Yellow ink remaining amount data,
The second yellow ink remaining amount data, the first light cyan ink remaining amount data, the second light cyan ink remaining amount data, the first light magenta ink remaining amount data, and the second light magenta ink remaining amount data. Two storage areas are respectively assigned to the ink remaining amount data of each color because the data is rewritten alternately in these areas, as in the black ink cartridge INC2.

All of these data are obtained when the power of the printer body 10 is turned on / off while the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 are attached to the printer body 10, or when the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 are replaced. Then, it is read by the printer body 10 and stored in the RAM 53 built in the printer body 10. Here, it is not always necessary to provide two storage areas for each color and write them alternately, and they may be sequentially rewritten into one storage area.

In addition to the above-mentioned storage area, the storage element 80 provided in the ink cartridge is further provided with a storage area,
In addition to the ink usage information value, ink cartridge opening time data (year), ink cartridge opening time data (month), ink cartridge version data,
Ink type data such as pigment ink or dye ink, ink cartridge manufacturing year data, ink cartridge manufacturing month data, ink cartridge manufacturing date data, ink cartridge manufacturing line data,
Various kinds of information such as serial number data of the ink cartridge, recycle presence / absence data indicating whether the ink cartridge is a new product or a recycled product may be stored. The information regarding the type of ink may be information as to whether it is a dye ink or a pigment ink, or may be information obtained by further subdividing the dye ink and the pigment ink.

=== Internal Structure of Control Circuit === Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the control circuit 50 of the color printer CP.
The internal configuration of will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control circuit 50 of the color printer CP according to this embodiment.

As shown in the figure, inside the control circuit 50, a CPU 51, a PROM 52, a RAM 53, a peripheral device input / output unit (PIO) 54, a timer 55, and a drive buffer 5 are provided.
6. An EEPROM 60 as a main body storage means is provided.

The PIO 54 is connected to a personal computer PC, a connector 186 to the storage element 80 of the ink cartridge, a carriage motor 41, a paper feed motor 43, an encoder 47, and a transmission / reception unit 202 via contacts 101 and 201. . The drive buffer 56 is used as a buffer that supplies ON / OFF signals for dot formation to the print heads IH1 to IH4. These are connected to each other by a bus 57, and data can be exchanged with each other.

The control circuit 50 is also provided with an oscillator 58 that outputs a drive waveform at a predetermined frequency, and a distribution output device 59 that distributes the output from the oscillator 58 to the print heads IH1 to IH4 at a predetermined timing.

The control circuit 50 includes, for example, a storage element 80 provided in the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 via the transmission / reception unit 202 at the timing of power-on, replacement of the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2, and power-off timing. To access. Ink cartridge I
The information read from the storage element 80 provided in NC1 and INC2 is stored in the EEPROM 60.

The EEPROM 60 has twelve storage areas for storing rewritable data, and both reading and writing can be performed on the stored data.

Here, the rewritable data stored in the twelve storage areas are the first usage amount information value and the second usage amount information value of each color of the ink accommodated in the ink cartridge, each of which has two values. The storage areas are allocated in order to alternately rewrite data in these areas. Therefore, the value stored in one of the storage areas is the last rewritten usage information value, and the value stored in the other storage area is stored one time before the last rewritten usage information value. The usage amount information value is stored, and the next rewriting is performed on the other storage area. Further, the EEPROM 60 is provided with a rewritable storage area for storing an initial usage amount information value and a cumulative usage amount information value described later.

The control circuit 50 outputs the dot data to the drive buffer 56 at a predetermined timing while synchronizing with the movements of the paper feed motor 43 and the carriage motor 42.

=== Printing Operation Using Color Printer CP === Next, a printing operation using the color printer CP according to the present embodiment will be described.

When the user uses the application program running on the computer to create the print data to be printed by processing the image, editing, creating the document, etc., and then instructing the printing, the data is installed in the computer. The printer driver installed in the operating system receives print data from the application program and transfers it to the printer body 10.
As a result, the printer body 10 acquires print data, and the control circuit 50 appropriately controls the movements of the paper feed motor 43, the carriage motor 41, and the print heads IH1 to IH4, and the print heads IH1 to IH4 eject the print data. Images and characters are printed on the roll paper 32 by the generated ink droplets.

At this time, the control section 51 performs a process of calculating a cumulative usage amount information value indicating the ink usage amount. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of calculating the cumulative usage amount information value X. When the printing process is started, the ink usage amount calculation process routine is started. The control unit 51 determines whether the printing process is being executed (S100). If the print process is being executed, the process waits until the print process is completed. When the print processing is not executed, the usage amount α of the ink consumed by the print processing is calculated (S110). The ink usage amount α is calculated, for example, by multiplying the volume of each ink droplet by the number of times the ink droplet is ejected.
This is executed by calculating the ink ejection amount α1 for each color and adding the calculated ink ejection amount α1 and the ink suction amount α2 consumed by the cleaning. The control unit 51 reads the usage amount information value Y already stored in the EEPROM 60 (S120). The total usage amount information value X is calculated by adding the read usage amount information value Y and the calculated ink usage amount α (S130),
The data is stored in the EEPROM 60 (S140).

=== Processing of writing usage amount information value to ink storage means and main body storage means === To write usage amount information value to the ink storage means and main body storage means, the power switch of the printer main body 10 is turned on. Alternatively, it is performed when the ink cartridge is turned off and when the ink cartridge is attached and detached.

<<< Processing of Writing Usage Information Value When Printer Main Unit is Powered On >> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of writing the usage amount information value when the power switch is turned on. As shown in the figure, when the power is turned on with the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 attached (S200), each color stored in the storage element 80 provided in the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 is controlled by the control circuit 50. Usage information value B for each
Is read (S210). The read usage amount information value B is compared with the usage amount information value A previously written and already stored in the EEPROM 60, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference (S220). At this time, when the usage amount information value B read from the storage element 80 and the usage amount information value A stored in the EEPROM 60 match, the usage amount information value A is set to these ink cartridges INC1, I.
The initial usage amount information value is an initial value for NC, and if different, the usage amount information value B is stored in the EEPROM 60 as the initial usage amount information value (230).

<<< Processing of Writing Usage Amount Information Value When Replacing Ink Cartridge >>>> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of writing a usage amount information value when replacing an ink cartridge. When the user receives the ink cartridge replacement command signal (S300), the control circuit 50 causes the ink cartridges INC1, IN to be replaced.
The usage amount information value C for each color stored in the storage element 80 provided in C2 is read (S310). The read usage amount information value C is compared with the initial usage amount information value D previously written and stored in the EEPROM 60, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference (S320).
At this time, when the usage amount information value C read from the storage element 80 and the initial usage amount information value D match, the EEP
The accumulated usage amount information value X stored in the ROM 60 is E
EPROM 60 and ink cartridges INC1, INC
It is written as a new usage amount information value in a predetermined storage area with the second storage element 80 (S330). On the other hand, when the usage amount information value C is different from the initial usage amount information value D, the difference Z between the cumulative usage amount information value X and the initial usage amount information value D is added to the usage amount information value C. The EEPROM 60 and the storage elements 80 of the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2.
Is written as a new usage amount information value E in a predetermined storage area (S340, S350). After that, the user removes the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2.

That is, the used amount information value C read from the storage element 80 indicates the used amount of ink at the time when the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 to be removed for ink replacement are mounted. On the other hand, the value Z obtained by subtracting the initial usage information value D from the cumulative usage information value X is
It shows the ink usage amount actually consumed by the printing process of the printer from the time when the usage amount information values of the EEPROM 60 and the storage element 80 are finally matched to this time. Therefore, when a value obtained by adding the value Z indicating the actually consumed ink usage amount to the usage amount information value C is stored as the new usage amount information value E in the storage element 80, the new usage amount information value E becomes Since the amount is reliably smaller than the value indicating the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2, the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 will not be subjected to print processing in the state where ink is exhausted, and it is possible to prevent blank ejection. .

After that, when the user mounts the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 (S360), the control circuit 50 causes the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 to be ejected.
The usage amount information value F for each color stored in the storage element 80 of NC2 is read (S370). The read usage amount information value F is compared with the previously used usage amount information value E or X written in the EEPROM 60, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference (S380). At this time, the usage information F and EEPR read from the storage element 80
When the usage amount information value E or X stored in the OM 60 is different, the usage amount information value F is stored in the EEPROM 60 as an initial usage amount information value which is an initial value of these ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 ( S39
0).

<<< Processing Information Value Writing Process When Printer Main Unit is Powered Off >> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a usage amount information value writing process when the printer main unit is powered off. When the power switch is turned off by the user, the control circuit 50 receives the power off command signal (S500), and the usage amount for each color stored in the storage elements 80 provided in the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2. The information value G is read (S510). The read usage information value G is EEP
The usage amount information value H previously written in the ROM 60 and already stored is compared to determine whether there is a difference (S520). When the used amount information value G read at this time and the used amount information value H stored in the EEPROM 60 match, the cumulative used amount information value X stored in the EEPROM 60 is the EEPROM 60 and the ink cartridge INC1, It is written as a new usage amount information value in a predetermined storage area with the storage element 80 of INC2 (S
530). On the other hand, when the usage information value G and the stored usage information value H are different, the difference W between the cumulative usage information value X and the usage information value H is added to the usage information value G. The EEPROM 60 and the ink cartridge INC
1, a new usage amount information value I is written in a predetermined storage area with the storage element 80 of INC2 (S540, S55).
0), the power is turned off (S560).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, before the value of the storage element 80 reaches the usage amount information value indicating the unusable ink amount, for example, 100 (%), the inside of the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 is Since the ink of No. 1 does not become empty, there is no risk of damaging the print heads IH1 to IH4 by blank ejection.

In this embodiment, the E of the printer body is
EPROM 60 and ink cartridges INC1 and IN
Although the data to be written in the storage element 80 of C2 is the usage amount information value indicating the usage amount of ink, the ink cartridge I
It may be a remaining amount information value indicating the remaining amount of ink in NC1 and INC2. In this case, the ink cartridge INC
1 and INC2, the remaining amount information value indicating that the ink cartridge is unused at the time of shipment, for example, 100 (%)
Is stored as the initial value. This remaining amount information value shows the cumulative remaining amount as a percentage with the usable ink amount as 100. The usable ink amount is set to be smaller than the ink amount actually contained in the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2, and even if the remaining amount information value becomes 0 (%), a small amount of ink remains in the cartridge. However, the fact that the blanking is not set is similar to the case where the usage amount information value is used.

Further, the cumulative remaining amount information value is the ink usage amount α calculated by the ink usage amount calculation processing routine.
Is obtained by subtracting from the usage amount information value already stored in the EEPROM 60. When the ink cartridges INC1 and INC2 are removed and the printer main body is powered off, the remaining amount information value of the storage element 80 and E
When the remaining amount information value of the EPROM 60 is different, the accumulated remaining amount information value and the E are calculated from the remaining amount information value of the storage element 80.
The difference from the remaining amount information value of the EPROM 60 is subtracted, and E
EPROM 60 and ink cartridges INC1, INC
It is written as a usage amount information value in a predetermined storage area with the second storage element 80.

[0062]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus capable of suppressing blank ejection due to use of an ink cartridge in which no ink remains.

[0063]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a color printer CP according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion of the printer body 10.

FIG. 4 is an internal structure of an ink cartridge, a carriage 4.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the cartridge mounting portion on the 0, and how the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a storage element 80. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control circuit of the color printer CP according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a calculation process of a cumulative usage amount information value based on a printing process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a writing process of a usage amount information value when a power switch is turned on.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a writing process of a usage amount information value when an ink cartridge is replaced.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of writing a usage amount information value when the printer body is powered off.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Printer body 11 ... Operation panel 12 ... Paper output section 13 ... Paper feed unit 18: Cartridge mounting part 20, 21 ... Roll paper unit holder 30 ... roll paper 32 ... Roll paper for printing 33 ... Storage element 40 ... Carriage 42 ... Platen 43 ... Paper feed motor 44 ... Sliding shaft 45 ... Drive belt 46 ... Pulley 47 ... Encoder 48 ... Gear mechanism 50 ... Control circuit 51 ... Control unit (CPU) 52 ... PROM 53 ... RAM 54 Peripheral device input / output unit (PIO) 55 ・ ・ ・ Timer 56 ... Drive buffer 57 ... bus 58 ... Oscillator 59: Distribution output device 60: Capping device 80 ... Storage element 81 ... Memory cell 82 ... Read / write control unit 83 ... Address counter 111 ... Operation button 112 ... Indicator lamp 117K ... Ink storage unit 121 ... Paper ejection tray 131: Paper feed holder 171 ... Cartridge body 172 ... Side frame 173 ... recess 174 ... Connection terminal 175 ... Ink supply unit 181 ... Needle 182 ... Cartridge guide 183 ... recess 184 ... Inner wall 185 ... Electrode 186 ... Connector 187 ... bottom 188 ... rear wall 189 ... Engaging tool 191 ... Support shaft 192: Fixed lever 193 ... Locking part PC: Personal computer INC1, INC2 ... Ink cartridge IH1, IH2, IH3, IH4 ... Print head

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ink unit containing ink used in a printing apparatus main body, the ink unit having an ink storage means capable of storing a usage amount information value indicating the amount of the used ink, and
The ink unit is detachable, and comprises a main body storage means for reading and storing a usage amount information value of the ink storage means, and a writing means for writing a new usage amount information value in the ink storage means. In a printing apparatus having a printing apparatus main body, the printing apparatus main body is configured to write a new usage amount information value to the ink storage unit by the writing unit,
The usage amount information value stored in the ink storage means provided in the ink unit is read, and the read usage amount information value is different from the initial usage amount information value stored in the main body storage means as the initial value for the ink unit. In this case, the printing apparatus is characterized in that a value larger than the read usage amount information value is written in the ink storage means as a new usage amount information value. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initial usage amount information value is a usage amount information value read from an ink storage unit when the printing apparatus main body is turned on or when the ink unit is attached. The new usage amount information value to be written in the ink storage means is the difference between the initial usage amount information value and the cumulative usage amount information value calculated based on the printing operation, and the new usage amount information value is written. A printing device characterized by being a value added to a usage amount information value read in advance. 3. An ink unit having ink storage means for accommodating ink used in the printer body and capable of storing a remaining amount information value indicating the amount of remaining ink, and the ink unit is removable. And printing by including a main body storage unit that reads and stores the remaining amount information value of the ink storage unit, and the printing apparatus main body that has a writing unit that writes a new remaining amount information value into the ink storage unit In the apparatus, the printing apparatus main body stores the remaining amount information value stored in the ink storage unit provided in the ink unit before writing the new remaining amount information value to the ink storage unit by the writing unit. If the read remaining amount information value is different from the initial remaining amount information value stored in the main body storage means as the initial value for the ink unit, the read remaining amount Printing device and writes to the ink storage unit smaller than distribution value as a new remaining amount information values. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the initial remaining amount information value is the remaining amount information value read from an ink storage unit when the printing apparatus main body is powered on or when the ink unit is attached. The new remaining amount information value to be written in the ink storage means is the difference between the initial remaining amount information value and the cumulative remaining amount information value calculated based on the printing operation, and the new remaining amount information value is written. A printing device characterized by being a value subtracted from the remaining amount information value read in advance.