CN111845086B

CN111845086B - Printing device

Info

Publication number: CN111845086B
Application number: CN202010161262.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 齐藤大辅
Original assignee: Riso Kagaku Corp
Current assignee: Riso Kagaku Corp
Priority date: 2019-04-24
Filing date: 2020-03-10
Publication date: 2021-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-10
Also published as: CN111845086A; JP2020179538A

Abstract

The invention provides a printing device, which can improve the identification precision of inappropriate consumables. A printing device (1) is capable of detachably mounting an ink cartridge (100) (a master unit (200)) which is an example of a consumable, and the printing device (1) is provided with: an image pickup unit (37b, 29b) that picks up images of the ink cartridge (100) in a plurality of states (a first angle and a second angle) in which at least one of the angle and the position is different; and an authentication unit (41) that authenticates the ink cartridge (100) based on the captured images of the ink cartridge (100) in the plurality of states captured by the imaging units (37b, 29 b).

Description

Printing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus to which a consumable can be detachably attached.

Background

In the printing apparatus, consumables such as an ink Cartridge (ink Cartridge), a master unit (stencil sheet), a Toner Cartridge (Toner Cartridge), and a photosensitive drum are mounted in accordance with the printing method.

For example, in a stencil printing apparatus, one or more ink cartridges and one or more master units are detachably mounted as consumables. In addition, in the inkjet printing apparatus, a plurality of ink cartridges storing ink for each color are detachably mounted as consumables.

Conventionally, a printing apparatus capable of detachably mounting a consumable part performs authentication of the consumable part using information stored in a memory of the consumable part.

In addition, an authentication device has been proposed which authenticates a consumable using image information obtained by imaging the consumable in addition to information stored in a memory of the consumable (see, for example, patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2017-68425

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Further, for example, in the case where the consumable is an ink cartridge for an ink jet printing apparatus, if an inappropriate ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet printing apparatus and used, the ink aggregates, and the aggregated ink blocks the nozzles to cause ejection failure, or the ink landed on the paper spreads to cause edge failure of the image. These problems cause a reduction in the quality of a printed image. In addition, there are also cases where: when the ink aggregates, an excessive load is applied to each device in the apparatus, which causes a failure of the apparatus. In this way, when an inappropriate consumable part is attached to the printing apparatus, the quality of the printed image is degraded, and the apparatus malfunctions.

However, in the authentication device that photographs consumables as described above, when an RFID tag obtained by copying information of an RFID tag of an appropriate consumable part is attached to the front surface of the image pickup unit, the inappropriate consumable part cannot be recognized even if the inappropriate consumable part is attached.

The invention aims to provide a printing device capable of improving the identification precision of inappropriate consumables.

Means for solving the problems

In one aspect, a printing apparatus to which a consumable can be detachably attached includes: an imaging unit that images the consumable in a plurality of states having different angles and/or positions; and an authentication unit that performs authentication of the consumable on the basis of the captured images of the consumable in the plurality of states captured by the imaging unit.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to this aspect, the accuracy of identifying an inappropriate consumable product can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining a printing apparatus, an ink cartridge, and a master unit in one embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge in one embodiment.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image pickup communication module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a V-V sectional view of FIG. 4 with the ink cartridge omitted.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the authentication process of the ink cartridge in one embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an authentication process of a master unit in one embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a printing device; 2: a device housing; 3: an operation panel section; 4: an original reading section; 5: a cam driving part; 6: a typesetting section; 7: a paper feeding section; 8: a paper discharge section; 9: a compression roller; 10: a stripping claw; 20: a plate making section; 21: a master accommodating section; 22: a thermal head; 23: a pair of loading rollers; 24: a master cutter; 25: a cover; 26: a cover opening/closing sensor; 27: a load complete sensor; 28: a loading motor; 29: a camera communication module; 29 a: a wireless communication unit; 29 b: an image pickup unit; 30: a plate cylinder portion; 31: a plate cylinder; 32: a clamp portion; 33: a cartridge accommodating section; 33 a: a through hole; 34: a guide groove; 34 a: a first portion; 34 b: a second portion; 34 c: a third portion; 34 d: a fourth part; 35: a first ink setting sensor; 36: a second ink setting sensor; 37: a camera communication module; 37 a: a wireless communication unit; 37 b: an image pickup unit; 37 c: an antenna; 37 d: a camera; 37 e: a light source; 37 f: a control substrate; 37 g: a housing; 37 h: a through hole; 37 i: a base part; 40: a control unit; 41: an authentication unit; 50: a storage unit; 100: an ink cartridge; 110: an ink bottle; 111: a rib; 112: a supply port; 120: a non-contact IC; 121: a memory; 122: a processing unit; 200: a master plate unit; 210: mother set; 220: a non-contact IC; 221: a memory; 222: a processing unit; 230: a master plate axis; p: paper.

Detailed Description

A printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus 1.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the printing apparatus 1, the ink cartridge 100, and the master unit 200.

In the present embodiment, the following case will be described as an example: the printing apparatus is a stencil printing apparatus and the consumables are the ink cartridge 100 and the master unit 200. The printing device may be another printing device such as an inkjet printing device, and the consumable supplies may be other consumable supplies such as a toner cartridge and a photosensitive drum. For example, the ink cartridge 100 may be detachably attached to the inkjet printing apparatus.

As shown in fig. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus casing 2, an operation panel unit 3, an original reading unit 4, a cam driving unit 5, a layout unit 6, a paper feeding unit 7, a paper discharge unit 8, a platen roller 9, a peeling claw 10, a plate making unit 20, a plate cylinder unit 30, a control unit 40, and a storage unit 50 shown in fig. 2.

An operation panel portion 3 and a document reading portion 4 are disposed on an upper portion of the apparatus casing 2.

The operation panel unit 3 includes, for example, a display for displaying various information, a display control unit for controlling the display content of the display, a touch panel arranged on the display, operation keys for performing various operations of the printing apparatus 1, and the like, and functions as an example of the display unit, the display control unit, and the input unit of the printing apparatus 1.

The document reading section 4 has a scanner that reads image information from a document.

The cam drive section 5 causes the nip plates of the nip 32 of the plate cylinder section 30 to nip the leading end of the master (stencil sheet) 210, and causes the upturned plates of the nip 32 to lift the printed master 210 from the plate cylinder 31 of the plate cylinder section 30.

The layout section 6 accommodates the master 210 lifted up from the plate cylinder 31.

The paper feed unit 7 includes a paper feed roller for feeding the paper P to the plate cylinder 30, a paper feed table on which the paper P is placed, and the like.

The paper discharge unit 8 includes paper discharge rollers for discharging the printed paper P conveyed from the plate cylinder 30 from the apparatus casing 2, a paper discharge table on which the paper P discharged from the apparatus casing 2 is stacked, and the like.

The press roller 9 is disposed below the plate cylinder 31. The platen roller 9 presses the paper P against the master 210 wound around the plate cylinder 31 and rotating together with the plate cylinder 31.

The peeling claw 10 is disposed below the plate cylinder 31 and peels the printed paper P from the master 210.

The plate making section 20 has a master accommodating section 21, a thermal head 22, a pair of loading rollers 23, a master cutter 24, and a cover 25. As shown in fig. 2, the plate making section 20 includes a cover opening/closing sensor 26, a loading completion sensor 27, a loading motor 28, and an imaging communication module 29.

The reticle storage section 21 shown in fig. 1 is an example of a storage section that detachably stores a reticle unit 200 (consumable). The reticle unit 200 has a reticle 210, a non-contact IC220 (refer to fig. 2), and a reticle axis 230. The reticle 210 is wound around a reticle shaft 230 in a roll shape. The noncontact IC220 is disposed at one end of the reticle shaft 230, for example. Although the non-contact IC220 is described later, when the non-contact IC220 is an imaging target of the imaging unit 29b of the imaging communication module 29, the non-contact IC220 is provided at the center of one end of the reticle shaft 230, and thus can be reliably prevented from deviating from the range in which imaging can be performed with rotation of the reticle unit 200 (the reticle shaft 230). The reticle shaft 230 is rotatably supported by the reticle accommodating portion 21.

The thermal head 22 thermally perforates the master 210 based on, for example, image information obtained from the original reading portion 4.

The pair of loading rollers 23 is a pair of rollers for conveying the reticle 210 subjected to the thermal punching. One of the pair of loading rollers 23 is a driving roller, and the other is a driven roller.

The reticle cutter 24 cuts the reticle 210 conveyed by the pair of loading rollers 23 for each of the plates. The master 210 of one plate cut by the master cutter 24 is wound around a plate cylinder 31 of a plate cylinder portion 30 described later.

The cover 25 is, for example, manually opened before the master unit 200 is inserted into the master accommodating portion 21, and the cover 25 is, for example, manually closed after the insertion.

The cover opening/closing sensor 26 shown in fig. 2 is a sensor for detecting that the cover 25 has been closed, for example, a contact type or an optical type sensor. The cover opening/closing sensor 26 can be regarded as a sensor for detecting that the reticle unit 200 has been accommodated into the reticle accommodating section 21 (in the middle of mounting).

The loading completion sensor 27 is a sensor, for example, of an optical type, for detecting that the loading action of the reticle 210 has been completed and the tip of the reticle 210 has reached a plate-making start position (initial position). That is, the loading completion sensor 27 can be regarded as a sensor for detecting that the mounting of the master unit 200 to the plate making section 20 is completed.

The cover opening/closing sensor 26 and the loading completion sensor 27 are examples of one or more sensors for detecting the mounting state of the master unit 200 (consumable parts).

The loading motor 28 is an example of a driving unit (actuator) that rotates the driving roller of the loading roller pair 23.

The imaging communication module 29 includes a wireless communication unit 29a and an imaging unit 29 b. The imaging communication module 29 can be made the same as the imaging communication module 37 of the plate cylinder portion 30 described later with reference to fig. 4.

The wireless communication unit 29a establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC220 attached to the master unit 200, reads various information from the non-contact IC220, and supplies the read information to the control unit 40 of the printing apparatus 1. The wireless communication unit 29a functions as an RFID reader/writer, for example, and the contactless IC220 functions as an RFID tag, for example. When the wireless communication unit 29a performs wireless communication with the non-contact IC220, the transmitting side adds a random number to perform transmission, and the receiving side deletes the added random number to extract information. This can prevent interception of information to be communicated.

The imaging unit 29b is disposed so as to face the non-contact IC220 of the reticle unit 200 that is being mounted to the printing apparatus 1 and the non-contact IC220 of the reticle unit 200 that has been mounted, and is configured to image the non-contact IC 220. The imaging unit 29b images the noncontact IC220 in a plurality of states having different angles (an example of at least one of the angle and the position) before and after the loading operation of the reticle 210 when the reticle unit 200 is mounted, and the details thereof will be described later. The imaging section 29b may also image other portions of the master unit 200 (portions other than the non-contact IC 220). The imaging unit 29b may also be configured to capture images of the master unit 200 in a plurality of states at different positions, such as when the master unit 200 is slidable in one direction in the plate making unit 20. The imaging unit 29b may capture a plurality of non-contact ICs 220 in different positions and angles during the insertion of the reticle unit 200 into the reticle housing section 21.

As shown in fig. 1, the plate cylinder portion 30 has a plate cylinder 31, a nip 32, and a cartridge accommodating portion 33. In addition, as shown in fig. 2, the plate cylinder section 30 has a first ink setting sensor 35, a second ink setting sensor 36, and a camera communication module 37.

The plate cylinder 31 is cylindrical and has a central axis parallel to the width direction of the master 210 and the sheet P (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 1). The master 210 thermally perforated by the thermal head 22 of the plate making section 20 can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 31. Further, a large number of holes through which ink oozes are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 31.

The clamp 32 includes a clamp plate that clamps the front end of the reticle 210, a seesaw that performs a releasing operation for releasing the reticle 210 fixed by the clamp plate from a fixed state, and the like.

The cartridge accommodating portion 33 is a cylindrical hollow portion provided in the plate cylinder 31. The cartridge accommodating section 33 is an example of an accommodating section that detachably accommodates the ink cartridge 100 (consumable).

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the ink cartridge 100.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the imaging communication module 37.

Fig. 5 is a V-V sectional view of fig. 4 with the ink cartridge 100 omitted.

As shown in fig. 3, the ink cartridge 100 includes an ink bottle 110 having a cylindrical shape and containing ink, and a non-contact IC120 provided at one end of the ink bottle 110.

A rib 111 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ink bottle 110, and the rib 111 is an example of a protruding portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the ink bottle 110. Further, a supply port 112 for supplying ink to the printing apparatus 1 is provided at one end of the ink bottle 110 where the non-contact IC120 is provided.

The non-contact IC120 can be made identical to the non-contact IC220 of the master unit 200. As shown in fig. 2, the

noncontact ICs

120 and 220 have

memories

121 and 221 and

processing sections

122 and 222. Note that a trademark (a mark image) such as ″) a ═ a ″, shown in fig. 3, may be attached to the

non-contact ICs

120 and 220, and authentication, which will be described later, may be performed by capturing only a part of the

non-contact ICs

120 and 220 including the trademark.

Although an example is shown, the

memories

121 and 221 store an ID (consumable storage information) for uniquely identifying the ink cartridge 100 or the master unit 200, attribute data of the ink cartridge 100 (ink) or the master unit 200 (master 210), a second password (an example of second collation information) generated based on the ID, and an image password (an example of fourth collation information) generated based on image information of the

non-contact ICs

120 and 220. The attribute data of the ink cartridge 100 is, for example, ink color information, ink solvent type information, ink remaining amount information, and the like, and the attribute data of the master unit 200 is, for example, material, model, master remaining amount information, and the like.

Further, it is preferable that the

memories

121 and 221 store setting information of the printing apparatus 1, destination information indicating an area where the ink cartridge 100 or the master unit 200 is used, and the like.

The

Processing units

122 and 222 include processors (e.g., Central Processing Units (CPUs)) functioning as arithmetic Processing devices. Preferably, the

processing units

122 and 222 acquire information on the amount of ink used in the printing apparatus 1 or the amount of use of the master 210 via the

wireless communication units

29a and 37a of the printing apparatus 1, calculate the remaining amount of consumable parts based on the acquired amount of use, and store the calculated remaining amount of consumable parts in the

memories

121 and 221 as remaining amount information. Alternatively, the control unit 40 of the printing apparatus 1 may calculate the remaining amount of the consumable part by subtracting the amount of ink used or the amount of use of the master 210 from the remaining amount information acquired from the

memories

121 and 221, and may control the

wireless communication units

29a and 37a to write the calculated remaining amount of the consumable part as remaining amount information into the

memories

121 and 221 at an arbitrary timing.

As shown in fig. 5, a guide groove 34 for guiding the rib 111 of the ink bottle 110 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge accommodating portion 33 shown by a two-dot chain line in fig. 4. The guide groove 34 includes a first portion 34a on the inlet side, a second portion 34b having a width gradually decreasing from the first portion 34a toward a third portion 34c, a third portion 34c narrower than the first portion 34a, and a fourth portion 34d wider than the third portion 34 c.

The ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge accommodating section 33 such that the rib 111 is guided by the guide groove 34, and is held in a state where the rib 111 is positioned in the fourth portion 34d by rotation after the insertion. The shape and size of the fourth portion 34d are preferably determined so as to allow the ink cartridge 100 to rotate within a range in which an imaging target (for example, the non-contact IC 120) of the imaging unit 37b described later does not deviate from an imaging range.

As shown in fig. 5, the cartridge accommodating portion 33 is provided with a through hole 33a into which the supply port 112 of the ink bottle 110 shown in fig. 4 is inserted.

A first ink setting sensor 35 and a second ink setting sensor 36 are provided in a fourth portion 34d of the guide groove 34.

The first ink setting sensor 35 is a sensor, for example, of a contact type or an optical type, for detecting that the ink cartridge 100 has been inserted. That is, the first ink setting sensor 35 can be regarded as a sensor for detecting that the ink cartridge 100 is in the middle of installation.

The second ink setting sensor 36 is a sensor, for example, of a contact type or an optical type, for detecting that the ink cartridge 100 has rotated. That is, the second ink setting sensor 36 can be regarded as a sensor for detecting that the mounting of the ink cartridge 100 is completed.

The first ink setting sensor 35 and the second ink setting sensor 36 are examples of one or more sensors for detecting the mounted state of the ink cartridge 100 (consumable).

As shown in fig. 4, the imaging communication module 37 of the plate cylinder portion 30 is disposed to face the non-contact IC120 of the ink cartridge 100.

The imaging communication module 37 includes a control board 37f, a case 37g, and a base portion 37i, in addition to the wireless communication portion 37a and the imaging portion 37b shown in fig. 2.

The wireless communication unit 37a has, for example, a loop-shaped antenna 37c housed in the case 37g, establishes wireless communication with the non-contact IC120 attached to the ink cartridge 100, reads various information from the non-contact IC120, and supplies the read information to the control unit 40 of the printing apparatus 1. The wireless communication unit 37a functions as an RFID reader/writer, for example, and the contactless IC120 functions as an RFID tag, for example. When the wireless communication unit 37a performs wireless communication with the non-contact IC120, the transmitting side adds a random number to perform transmission, and the receiving side deletes the added random number to extract information. This can prevent interception of information to be communicated.

The imaging unit 37b is disposed so as to face the non-contact IC120 of the ink cartridge 100 during the installation of the printing apparatus 1 and the non-contact IC120 of the ink cartridge 100 after the installation, and is configured to image the non-contact IC 120.

The imaging unit 37b includes a camera 37d and a light source 37 e. The imaging unit 37b images the non-contact IC120 in a plurality of states with different angles (examples of at least one of the angle and the position) based on the detection results of the first ink setting sensor 35 and the second ink setting sensor 36 during the mounting of the ink cartridge 100, and details thereof will be described later. The imaging unit 37b may image other portions (portions other than the non-contact IC 120) of the ink cartridge 100. The imaging unit 37b may image the noncontact ICs 120 in a plurality of states at different positions, such as when the ink cartridge 100 is slidable in one direction in the cartridge accommodating unit 33. The image pickup unit 37b may pick up images of the noncontact ICs 120 in a plurality of states having different positions during the insertion of the ink cartridge 100 into the cartridge housing unit 33. The one or more sensors for detecting the mounted state of the ink cartridge 100 (consumable) are not limited to two sensors, i.e., the first ink setting sensor 35 and the second ink setting sensor 36, and may be a single sensor. Even in this case, for example, since the single first ink setting sensor 35 is disposed in the mounting path of the ink cartridge 100, even if the second ink setting sensor 36 is omitted, it is possible to take images of the ink cartridges 100 in a plurality of states as long as the image pickup section 37b takes an image after the timing at which the first ink setting sensor 35 detects the insertion of the ink cartridge 100 and a predetermined time of the timing.

The camera 37d is, for example, a CMOS camera.

The plurality of light sources 37e irradiate light to the non-contact IC120 as an imaging object.

The control board 37f controls, for example, communication by the wireless communication unit 37a and imaging by the imaging unit 37 b.

The case 37g accommodates an antenna 37c, a camera 37d, a control board 37f, and a base portion 37 i. A through hole 37h is provided in the case 37g at a position between the camera 37d and the non-contact IC 120. The antenna 37c of the wireless communication unit 37a shown in fig. 4 has the same shape as the through hole 37h or has a ring shape with a through hole having the same central axis as the through hole 37 h.

The base portion 37i is disposed between the control board 37f and the case 37g, and supports the control board 37 f.

The control unit 40 shown in fig. 2 includes, for example, a processor (e.g., CPU) functioning as an arithmetic processing device that controls the operation of the entire printing apparatus 1. The processor functions as the authentication unit 41 by, for example, reading a predetermined program from the storage unit 50 or from a storage medium that is detachable from the printing apparatus 1 and executing the program. Here, the program executed by the processor includes a program that causes a computer (for example, the control unit 40 of the printing apparatus 1) to execute the following functions: authentication of the consumable supplies is performed based on the captured images of the consumable supplies in a plurality of states captured by the

imaging units

29b and 37b that capture the consumable supplies in a plurality of states (for example, the ink cartridge 100, the master unit 200, and the like) in which at least one of the angle and the position is different.

The authentication unit 41 authenticates the ink cartridge 100 based on the captured images of the ink cartridge 100 in a plurality of states captured by the imaging unit 37b of the plate cylinder portion 30. The authentication unit 41 authenticates the master unit 200 based on the captured images of the master unit 200 in a plurality of states captured by the imaging unit 29b of the plate making unit 20.

The authentication by the authentication section 41 may be only the following authentication: if the plurality of captured images do not change before and after the ink cartridge 100 or the master unit 200 is rotated (or moved), it can be said that the RFID tag is attached in front of the

image capturing sections

29b, 37b, and thus it is determined to be abnormal. However, the authentication unit 41 may perform the following determination as authentication: whether or not the captured image of each of the plurality of states is the captured image of the appropriate ink cartridge 100 or the master unit 200.

For example, the authentication unit 41 preferably generates an image password (an example of third matching information) based on the image information of the

non-contact ICs

120 and 220 captured by the

imaging units

29b and 37b, referring to the image conversion table stored in the storage unit 50, and compares the image password with the image password (an example of fourth matching information) stored in the

memories

121 and 221.

The authentication unit 41 may generate a first password (an example of first registration information) by a first algorithm stored in the storage unit 50 based on an ID (an example of consumable storage information) stored in the ink cartridge 100 or the master unit 200, and may compare the first password with a second password (an example of second registration information) stored in the

memories

121 and 221 of the

non-contact ICs

120 and 220 generated based on the ID.

The storage unit 50 is, for example, a memory, and stores destination information indicating a region where the printing apparatus 1 is used, a first algorithm as a program for generating a second password, and an image conversion table.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the authentication process of the ink cartridge 100.

For example, the control unit 40 (authentication unit 41) reads a predetermined program from the storage unit 50 and executes the program to perform each process shown in fig. 6. When a plurality of ink cartridges 100 are mounted on the printing apparatus 1, it is preferable that the processes shown in fig. 6 be performed on each of the plurality of ink cartridges 100.

First, the control section 40 repeatedly determines whether or not the insertion of the ink cartridge 100 into the cartridge accommodating section 33 of the printing apparatus 1 is detected by the first ink setting sensor 35 shown in fig. 2 and 5 until the insertion of the ink cartridge 100 is detected (step S11).

When the first ink setting sensor 35 detects the insertion of the ink cartridge 100 (step S11: YES), the control section 40 causes the image pickup section 37b of the plate cylinder section 30 to pick up an image of the ink cartridge 100 (non-contact IC 120) (step S12). The angle of the ink cartridge 100 at this time is set to a first angle.

Next, the control section 40 repeats the determination of whether or not the rotation of the ink cartridge 100 is detected by the second ink setting sensor 36 in a state where the rib 111 of the ink cartridge 100 is positioned in the fourth portion 34d of the guide groove 34 shown in fig. 5 until the rotation of the ink cartridge 100 is detected (step S13).

When the second ink setting sensor 36 detects the rotation of the ink cartridge 100 (step S13: yes), the control section 40 causes the image pickup section 37b to photograph the ink cartridge 100 (non-contact IC 120) (step S14). The angle of the ink cartridge 100 at this time is set to the second angle. Further, since the ink cartridge 100 is rotated in a range in which the rib 111 is rotatable within the fourth portion 34d of the guide groove 34, the second angle is an angle different from the first angle. Therefore, the captured image of the ink cartridge 100 at the second angle is an image tilted by an angle of the difference between the second angle and the first angle from the captured image of the ink cartridge 100 at the first angle.

Subsequently, the authentication unit 41 performs the above-described authentication such as whether or not the captured image of the first angle and the captured image of the second angle have changed before and after the rotation of the ink cartridge 100 (whether or not the captured images are acceptable (OK)) (step S15), and if the images are acceptable (step S15: yes), the process shown in fig. 6 is terminated.

After the processing shown in fig. 6 is completed, it is preferable that the setting of the printing apparatus 1 (for example, adjustment of the amount of ink supplied from the ink cartridge 100, the amount of idle rotation of the plate cylinder 30, the pressing force of the press roller 9, and the like) be performed based on the setting information of the printing apparatus 1 read out from the memory 121 of the non-contact IC120 of the ink cartridge 100 or the input information input by the user on the operation panel unit 3.

When the first-angle captured image and the second-angle captured image do not change before and after the rotation of the ink cartridge 100 (no in step S15), the control unit 40 controls the operation panel unit 3 to display an abnormality indicating an abnormality (step S16), and ends the processing shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the authentication process of the master unit 200.

For example, the control unit 40 (authentication unit 41) reads a predetermined program from the storage unit 50 and executes the program to perform each process shown in fig. 7.

First, the control section 40 repeatedly performs determination as to whether or not the master unit 200 is detected to be inserted into the plate making section 20 by the cover opening/closing sensor 26 and the cover 25 shown in fig. 1 is closed until the cover 25 is detected to be closed (step S21).

When the cover 25 is detected to be closed by the cover opening/closing sensor 26 (yes in step S21), the control section 40 causes the imaging section 29b of the plate making section 20 to take an image of the master unit 200 (non-contact IC 220) (step S22). The angle of the reticle unit 200 (reticle axis 230) at this time is set to a third angle.

The control unit 40 controls the drive of the loading motor 28 to rotate the drive roller of the loading roller pair 23, for example, triggered by the closing of the cover 25 or the completion of the third-angle shooting (step S23). It can be detected by the above-mentioned loading completion sensor 27 that the loading action has been completed and the top end of the reticle 210 reaches the initial position, i.e. that the mounting of the reticle unit 200 has been completed.

When the load completion sensor 27 detects that the tip of the reticle 210 reaches the initial position, the control section 40 causes the image pickup section 29b to photograph the reticle unit 200 (non-contact IC 220) (step S24). The angle of the reticle unit 200 (reticle axis 230) at this time is set to a fourth angle. Further, since the third angle is an angle before the loading operation and the fourth angle is an angle after the loading operation, the third angle and the fourth angle may be matched. Therefore, the shooting at the fourth angle can be performed immediately after the start of the loading operation (before the noncontact IC220 (reticle shaft 230) makes one rotation).

Subsequently, the authentication unit 41 performs the above-described authentication such as whether or not the picked-up image of the third angle and the picked-up image of the fourth angle have changed before and after the rotation of the master unit 200 (whether or not the picked-up images are acceptable) (step S25), and if so (step S25: yes), the processing shown in fig. 7 is ended. After the process shown in fig. 7 is completed, it is preferable that the setting of the printing apparatus 1 (for example, the adjustment of the temperature of the thermal head 22, the driving amount of the loading motor 28, and the like) be performed based on the setting information of the printing apparatus 1 read out from the memory 221 of the non-contact IC220 of the master unit 200 or the input information input by the user on the operation panel unit 3.

In addition, when the picked-up image of the third angle and the picked-up image of the fourth angle do not change before and after the rotation of the master unit 200 (no in step S25), the control section 40 controls the operation panel section 3 to perform an abnormal display indicating an abnormality (step S26), and ends the processing shown in fig. 7.

In the present embodiment described above, the printing apparatus 1 is configured to detachably mount consumables (for example, the ink cartridge 100 and the master unit 200), and the printing apparatus 1 includes: imaging

units

29b and 37b that capture images of consumables in a plurality of states having different angles and/or positions; and an authentication unit 41 that authenticates the consumable on the basis of the captured images of the consumable in a plurality of states captured by the

imaging units

29b and 37 b.

Therefore, it can be recognized that the captured images of the consumables in the plurality of states are different images from each other. Thus, when an operation of attaching an RFID tag obtained by copying information of an RFID tag of an appropriate consumable part to the front of the

imaging units

29b and 37b so as to avoid authentication of the consumable part is performed, the above-described operation can be seen because the captured images of the consumable parts in a plurality of states do not change. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the accuracy of identifying an inappropriate consumable part can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 further includes one or more sensors (the first ink setting sensor 35 and the second ink setting sensor 36, or the cover opening/closing sensor 26 and the loading completion sensor 27) for detecting the mounted state of the consumable parts. The

imaging units

29b and 37b image consumables in a plurality of states based on the detection result of the sensor. Therefore, by using the detection result of the sensor as a trigger for imaging, consumables in a plurality of states having different angles and/or positions can be reliably imaged. Therefore, the accuracy of identifying an inappropriate consumable can be further improved.

In the present embodiment, the consumable supplies are mounted in the printing apparatus 1 while being rotated, and the

image pickup units

29b and 37b pick up images of the consumable supplies in a plurality of states having different angles due to the rotation at the time of mounting. Thus, in the consumable storage unit such as the cartridge storage unit 33 of the plate cylinder unit 30 and the master storage unit 21 of the plate making unit 20, the angle of the consumable can be easily changed by rotating the consumable in order to change the state of the consumable as compared with the method of changing the position of the consumable. Further, for example, compared to a system in which consumables in a plurality of states having different imaging positions are imaged when the consumables are inserted into the printing apparatus 1 (for example, the reticle housing section 21, the cartridge housing section 33, and the like), since the distances between the

imaging sections

29b and 37b and the consumables are less likely to change, it is possible to easily perform authentication (image processing) of the captured images using the consumables in the plurality of states. Therefore, the accuracy of identifying an inappropriate consumable can be further improved.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and structural elements may be modified and embodied in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, all the components described in the embodiments may be combined as appropriate. It is needless to say that various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Hereinafter, the invention described in the claims at the time of filing of the present application will be described.

[ additional notes 1]

A printing apparatus to which a consumable can be detachably attached, the printing apparatus comprising:

an imaging unit that images the consumable in a plurality of states having different angles and/or positions; and

and an authentication unit that performs authentication of the consumable on the basis of the captured images of the consumable in the plurality of states captured by the imaging unit.

[ appendix 2]

The printing apparatus according to supplementary note 1, wherein,

further comprising one or more sensors for detecting the mounted state of the consumable,

the imaging unit images the consumables in the plurality of states based on a detection result of the sensor.

[ additional notes 3]

The printing apparatus according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein,

the consumable is rotatably mounted in the printing device,

the imaging unit images the consumables in the plurality of states having different angles by rotation when attached.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus to which a consumable can be detachably attached, the printing apparatus comprising:

an imaging unit that images the consumable in a plurality of states having different angles and positions; and

an authentication unit that performs authentication of the consumable on the basis of the captured images of the consumable in the plurality of states captured by the imaging unit,

wherein the authentication unit determines that the consumable part is abnormal when the captured images of the consumable parts in the plurality of states do not change.

2. Printing device according to claim 1,

3. Printing device according to claim 1 or 2,

the consumable is rotatably mounted in the printing device,