JP2000015793A - Recording head and recording apparatus using recording head, and method for confirming connection of recording head and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording head and a recording apparatus using the recording head and a method for confirming a connection between the recording head and recording apparatus whereby a contact between the recording head and the recording apparatus using the recording head can be confirmed efficiently without carrying out printing actually. SOLUTION: Between a recording head which has a plurality of contact points through which recording signals, clock signals and control signals are input, data latch circuits 38-0 to 38-9 for holding input signals input via the contact points, and bilateral buffers 39-0 to 39-9 for looping back and outputting the held signals, and a recording apparatus loading the recording head, a signal is output to the recording head from the recording apparatus, the signal is indicated to be looped back by a reset signal (Reset x), the looped and transferred signal is received at a CPU of the recording apparatus, a connection state between the recording head and recording apparatus is analyzed, and the analysis result is displayed to an LCD.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a recording head, a recording apparatus using the recording head, and a method for confirming the connection between the recording head and the recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With regard to a recording apparatus having a detachable recording head unit, it is determined whether or not a contact between a contact portion of a recording head and a contact portion of a recording apparatus main body is normally obtained in an inspection at the time of shipment of a product in a factory. Conventionally, in order to check, the printing head is mounted on the printing apparatus main body and printing is actually performed to determine whether the contact of the contact portion is normal.

[0003]

However, in checking the contact of the contact portion by actual printing according to the above-mentioned conventional example, it is difficult to specify which signal line contact of the contact portion is defective. There was a problem. In addition, the actual time required for test printing increases the time required for product shipping inspections. In factories that are constantly required to improve productivity, such time-consuming inspection methods increase production costs. Was causing it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and a recording head capable of efficiently confirming a contact between a recording head and a recording apparatus using the recording head without actually performing printing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus using the recording head and a method for confirming connection between the recording head and the recording apparatus.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a recording head according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for performing recording on a recording medium, comprising: a recording signal; a clock signal for transmitting the recording signal; A plurality of contacts for inputting a control signal from the outside, a holding circuit for holding an input signal input from the outside via the plurality of contacts, and a folding for folding and outputting the signal held in the holding circuit And a recording head.

Here, the folding circuit may include a bidirectional buffer for switching a data transfer direction in accordance with an external signal, or a case where a plurality of holding circuits are provided corresponding to the plurality of contacts. Alternatively, the folding circuit may include a parallel-to-serial conversion circuit that converts a signal input in parallel from the plurality of holding circuits into an external signal and outputs the serial signal.

The control signal includes a block selection signal used for dividing a plurality of recording elements into blocks, a driving signal for driving the plurality of recording elements, and a latch for latching the recording signals to a holding circuit. Signal.

The recording head is an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. The recording head generates thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to discharge the ink using thermal energy. It is desirable to have a thermal energy converter for the purpose.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus using the recording head having the above-described configuration, wherein a connection means for mounting the recording head, and a signal transmitted to the recording head via the connection means. Output means for outputting a signal, instruction means for instructing the recording head to fold a signal, reception means for receiving a signal folded and transferred by the recording head, and A recording device for analyzing a connection state between the recording head and the connection unit, and a display unit for displaying an analysis result by the analysis unit.

Here, the connection means is provided on a carriage on which the recording head is mounted and reciprocates, and a plurality of contacts are provided on the carriage so that when the recording head is mounted on the carriage, the connection of the recording head is established. Preferably, the plurality of contacts are in contact with the plurality of contacts provided on the carriage so that electrical connection is made.

In this case, the signal output from the output means and the signal reception by the receiving means may be performed by sharing the same contact, or may be performed by using different contacts. good.

Also, as a result of the analysis by the analysis means, it is determined that the connection state between the recording head and the connection means is not normal, and when the recording head is mounted again, the signal output by the output means is reduced. A signal return instruction by the instruction means, reception of a return signal by the reception means,
In addition, it is preferable to control so that the analysis by the analysis means is repeated.

The instruction by the instruction means may be performed using a reset signal output to the recording head to reset the state of the recording head, or a latch signal used to cause the recording head to latch the recording signal. May be used.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connection confirming method for confirming a connection between the recording head having the above-mentioned configuration and a recording apparatus to which the recording head is attached, wherein a signal is transmitted from the recording apparatus to the recording head. An output step of outputting a signal to the recording head, an instruction step of instructing the recording head to fold a signal, a receiving step of receiving a signal folded by the recording head and transferred to the recording apparatus, and a receiving step of receiving the signal. A connection state between the recording head and the recording device based on the received signal, and a display step of displaying an analysis result by the analysis means on a display. Is provided.

With the above arrangement, the present invention provides a plurality of contacts for inputting a recording signal, a clock signal for transferring the recording signal, and a control signal for a recording operation based on the recording signal, and via the plurality of contacts. A signal is sent from the recording apparatus to the recording head between a recording head having a holding circuit for holding the input signal and a folding circuit for folding and outputting the held signal, and a recording apparatus to which the head is attached. And instructs the recording head to return the signal, receives the signal returned by the recording head and transferred, and analyzes the connection state between the recording head and the recording device based on the received signal. By displaying the result of the analysis on the display, the operation of confirming the connection between the recording head and the recording apparatus is performed.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of a printer having a recording head for performing recording in accordance with an ink jet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording sheet (or a recording medium such as a plastic sheet);
Recording paper 1 arranged above and below the recording area
, A sheet feed motor for driving the conveying rollers 2 and 3, a guide shaft 5 provided between the conveying rollers 2 and 3 and provided in parallel with the rotation axis of the conveying rollers 2 and 3. A carriage 6 reciprocates (arrow B) along the guide shaft 5, a carriage motor 7 for moving the carriage, and a belt 8 for transmitting the driving force of the carriage motor 7 to the carriage 6.

On the carriage 6, recording heads 9A to 9D for performing recording by discharging ink droplets according to an ink-jet system (hereinafter, these recording heads are collectively referred to as recording head 9). Is installed. The recording head 9 is for recording a color image, is arranged in the moving direction of the carriage 6, and has a cyan (C), a magenta (M), a yellow (Y), and a black (B
k) Four recording heads (K head) 9A, recording head (C head) 9B, recording head (M head) 9C, recording head (Y head) 9 provided corresponding to each color ink of k)
D. A front surface of each of the recording heads 9A to 9D,
That is, a predetermined distance (for example, 0.8 m) from the recording surface of the recording paper 1
A plurality of (for example, 60) ink ejection ports are arranged in a vertical line in a direction intersecting the scanning direction of the carriage 6 on the surface opposing in (m). And the recording head 9A ~
The 9D logic circuit has the same configuration.

An operation panel 64 mounted on an outer case (not shown) of the printer device has an online / offline switching key 60A and a line feed key 6A.
0B, recording mode switching key 60C, reset key 6
In addition to a key setting unit such as 0D, an LED lamp such as an alarm lamp 61A and a warning lamp such as a power lamp 61B, and an LCD 65 for displaying various messages are provided.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a platen, 92 denotes a recording sheet 1
And an ink tank for storing ink for recording a desired image. The ink tank 92 includes the recording heads 9A to 9A.
4 colors (cyan (C), magenta (M),
It is composed of four ink compartments 92A to 92D for storing yellow (Y) and black (Bk) inks.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink tank 92 is not limited to a structure separate from the recording head 9, but may be a structure such as an ink cartridge in which the ink tank and the recording head are integrated. It goes without saying that you can do it.

As described in detail below, the CPU of the printer device
And the control unit including the ROM, RAM, etc.
A command signal and a data signal (recording information) are received from a host computer (hereinafter, referred to as a host) 100 having a display 103, and based on the command signal, various motors and the like are driven, and electric signals included in the recording heads 9A to 9D. A drive power supply (heat power supply) is applied to the heat converter (heater) to energize.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control circuit of the printer shown in FIG.

The microprocessor-type CPU 21 comprises:
It is connected to the host 100 via the interface 22, the ROM 24 storing the control program, the EEPROM 23 storing the updatable control program, the processing program, various constant data, and the like, and received from the host 100 via the interface 22. The RAM 25 that stores a command signal (command) and a recording information signal is accessed, and the recording operation is controlled based on the information stored in these memories. Further, the CPU 21 controls the output port 26
By moving the carriage 6 by operating the carriage motor 7 via the carriage motor control circuit 42, or by operating the sheet feed motor 4 via the output port 26 and the sheet feed motor control circuit 44, the transport rollers 2 The transport mechanism such as 3 is operated. Further, the CPU 21 can record a desired image on the recording paper 1 by driving the recording heads 9A to 9D via the recording head control circuit 29 based on the recording information stored in the RAM 25.

The power supply circuit 28 outputs a logic drive voltage Vcc (for example, 5 V) for operating the CPU 21 and the printhead control circuit 29, and various motor drive voltages Vm.
(For example, 30 V), a heat voltage Vh (for example, 25 V) for driving the recording head 9, a circuit driving power supply voltage VDDH of the recording head control circuit 29 for driving the recording head 9, and the like. And the heat voltage V
h is applied to the recording head 9, and the power supply voltage VDDH is applied to the recording head control circuit 29 and the recording head 9, respectively.

Further, instructions input from the operation keys 60A to 60D are transmitted to the CPU 21 via the input port 32, and when an instruction from the CPU 21 is transmitted to the LED light emission control circuit 62 via the output port 36, the LED 61A,
When 61B is turned on or transmitted to the display control circuit 66, a message is displayed on the LCD 65.

Further, between the recording heads 9A to 9D and the recording head control circuit 29, there are provided contact portions 10A to 10D for connecting electrical contacts to each other. Therefore, the recording heads 9A to 9D are
When the electrodes are mounted on the recording heads, the electrodes for transmitting and receiving various electric signals provided on the recording heads are connected to the contact portions 10A to 10A.
D, and an electrical connection is made.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a signal input / output control circuit provided in the recording head 9A. Each of the recording heads 9A to 9D has a built-in circuit as shown in FIG. 3, but since these circuits have a common configuration, the circuit shown in the recording head 9A is shown as a representative here. I have.

Further, the recording head 9 in this embodiment
Assume that each of A to 9D is provided with 60 ink ejection nozzles. A heater for heating the ink therein and a power transistor for energizing the heater are provided for each of the ink discharge nozzles. The heater, the power transistor, and the ink ejection nozzle may be collectively called a recording element.

The driving of the 60 recording elements is performed in the following procedure.

That is, 60 pieces of recording data (if one bit data corresponds to one recording element, 6
0 bit data) is input in synchronization with a data clock (CLK), and is sequentially held in a shift register (not shown). In this way, 60 pieces of recording data (DAT
When A) is held in the shift register, a latch circuit (not shown) at the next stage of the shift register outputs a latch signal (La).
tch), 60 data are latched.

Next, a heat pulse signal (H) for applying thermal energy to the heater of the recording head to eject ink is provided.
EAT), and in order to drive the 60 recording elements in a time-division manner, to sequentially divide the 60 recording elements into six blocks of ten, block selection signals (Block 0 to Block 5) are sequentially transmitted. Among the recording elements of the selected block, the recording element selected by the output from the AND circuit that calculates the logical product of the heat pulse signal (HEAT) and the recording data (DATA) output from the latch circuit is selected. When driven, ink is ejected from the nozzles, and recording is performed.

Since the configurations of the above-described shift register, latch circuit, and AND circuit for driving the recording elements are known, the description thereof will be omitted, and FIG. It is shown as

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 38-0 to 38-8 temporarily store print head control data such as a block selection signal (Block 0 to 5), a data clock (CLK), print data (DATA), and a heat pulse signal (HEAT). , And 39-1-8 are bidirectional buffers for switching the transfer direction of these signals. The switching of the transfer direction is performed by the recording head control circuit 29.
A reset signal (Re used to reset the state of
set x).

FIG. 4 is a time chart of the above-mentioned signals for driving the recording head.

As can be seen from the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a reset signal (Rese) supplied from the printhead control circuit side to the printhead side via the contact portion 10A.
tx) is at the low level “L (0 V)”, the driving circuit 9A
-1 is reset. At this time, the bidirectional buffers 39-1 to 3-8 are in an output state as viewed from the recording head side (that is, blocks 0 to 5, C
LK, DATA, HEAT signals are output)
(Corresponding to time periods T2, T4, T6, T8 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, the reset signal (Reset)
When x) is at the high level "H (5 V)", the bidirectional buffers 39-1 to 3-8 are in the input state (i.e., when viewed from the recording head side).
Blocks 0 to 5, CL via contact portion 10A
K, DATA, and HEAT signals are input) (time zones T1, T3, T5, T7, T in FIG. 4).
9).

Next, with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, a description will be given of a process of confirming the electrical connection of the contact portion (head contact check) in the apparatus having the above configuration.

The following processing is performed for the recording heads 9A to 9D.
Is mounted on the carriage 6, and the user operates the operation key 60A.
The CPU 21 executes the program stored in the ROM 24 by operating ~ 60D.

First, in step S 1, the CPU 21 outputs a high level “H (5 V)” via the recording head control circuit 29.
The reset signal (Reset x) in the state described above is output to the recording head. Then, for example, the time period T shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, blocks 0 to 5, CLK, DATA, and HEAT signals that maintain the high level “H” state for a certain period of time are output. At this time, the bidirectional buffers 39-1 to 3-8 are in the input state as viewed from the recording head side,
According to the latch signal (Latch) output from 1,
Input Blocks 0 to 5, CLK, DATA, HE
Each signal of AT is held in the data latch circuits 38-1 to 38-8.

Next, in step S2, for example, as in a time zone T2 shown in FIG.
When set x) is set to a low level “L (0 V)”, the input / output directions of the bidirectional buffers 39-1 to 3-8 are switched to be in an output state as viewed from the recording head side, and are held in the data latch circuits 38-1 to 38-8. The signals thus output are output to the CPU 21 via the recording head control circuit 29. At this time,
CPU 21 stores the output signal data in a predetermined area of RAM 25. Here, contact portions 10A-1A
If the electrical connection at 0D is normal, as long as the signal input / output control circuit operates normally, the value of the stored signal data bit is "1" reflecting the high level "H" state of each signal. Becomes For example, Block 0-5, CLK, D
If the data is made to correspond to each signal of ATA and HEAT one bit at a time, the data length becomes 9 bits, and if the electrical connection in the contact portions 10A to 10D is normal, all the bits of the data are set. The value is "1".

Further, in step S3, it is checked whether or not the above operation has been performed for all of the recording heads 9A to 9D. If the check for all of the recording heads has not been completed, the process returns to step S1 and ends. If
The process proceeds to step S4.

If the processing relating to the recording head 9A is performed in the time periods T1 and T2 shown in FIG. 4, similarly, the recording head 9B is subjected to the time periods T3 and T4, and the recording head 9C is subjected to the time periods T5 and T6. Regarding the head 9D, it is preferable to perform the operation in the time zones T7 and T8.

Next, in step S4, the CPU 21
The data written in the AM 25 is read, and further, in a step S5, it is checked whether or not the values of the read data bits are all "1". Here, if the values of the data bits are all “1”, the process is terminated. However, if it is detected that even one bit has a bit of “0”, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, which bit of the read data is "0" is checked, and from the position of that bit, which signal of which recording head is not obtained is specified. The result is displayed on the LCD 65. As a result, the apparatus user can recognize the recording head in which the contact error has occurred and the control signal thereof. At this time, the LEDs 61A and 61B may be turned on to notify the apparatus user that there is a contact error.

Next, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether or not the recording head has been reattached. If the reattachment has been performed, the process returns to step S1.
Perform a head contact check sequence.

However, if a message indicating a contact error is displayed on the LCD 65 no matter how many times the above process is repeated, there is a manufacturing defect in the electrode contact of the recording head or the contact portion of the carriage. And take another action on manufacturing control (for example, replacement of parts,
Device destruction).

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, a circuit capable of folding an input signal and outputting the signal is built in the recording head, and the signal sent from the CPU is folded by the recording head and received by the CPU again. The received data can be examined and the results can be displayed, so that the electrical connection between the recording head and the recording device can be performed without performing test printing on the recording paper and checking the connection between the recording head and the recording device. It is possible to quickly and easily check whether the contact has been made normally.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the data bits corresponding to each signal are analyzed, it is possible to specify whether the signal has a connection failure.

[0051]

Other Embodiments Although the signal input / output control circuit according to the above-described embodiment is basically constituted by a bidirectional buffer and a data latch circuit, in this embodiment, the signal input / output control circuit is basically A description will be given of an example constituted by a data latch circuit and a parallel / serial conversion circuit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control circuit of the printer according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals and symbols are used for the same components and the same signals as those described in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Here, the configuration and operation unique to this embodiment will be described. I do.

As shown in FIG.
The output signal from 10D is input to an analog switch 81, and further converted to parallel data by a serial / parallel conversion circuit 82 and transferred to the CPU 21.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a signal input / output control circuit according to this embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same components and signals as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols, and the description thereof is omitted. Here, the configuration and operation unique to this embodiment will be described. I do.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the signals stored in the data latch circuits 38-0 to 38-8 are input to the input terminals (DI0 to DI) of the parallel / serial conversion circuit 41.
8), and further, is output from the output terminal (DO) bit by bit by the input of the latch signal (LATCH), and can be input to the CPU 21 through the output contact (OUT) provided in the contact portion 10A. It has become.

Next, the operation of the signal input / output control circuit will be described.
This will be described with reference to a signal time chart shown in FIG.

The CPU 21 outputs a reset signal (Reset x) at a high level "H (5 V)" to the recording head via the recording head control circuit 29, and the CPU 21 outputs a high signal as shown in a time zone T10 shown in FIG. Blocks 0 to 5, CLK, DATA, H in which the level “H” state is maintained for a certain period of time
Outputs each signal of EAT. At this time, the input signals Block 0 to 5, CLK, DATA, and HEAT are held in the data latch circuits 38-1 to 38-8 by the latch signal (Latch) output from the CPU 21.

Next, as shown in a time zone T11 shown in FIG.
The CPU 21 sets the reset signal (Reset x) to low level “L (0 V)”, and sets the latch signal (L
atch), the data latch circuit 3
The signals held in 8-1 to 8-8 are output by the parallel / serial conversion circuit 41 in synchronization with the pulse of the latch signal.

The serial data output from the parallel / serial conversion circuit 41 is again converted into parallel data by the serial / parallel conversion circuit 30 via the analog switch 31 and transferred to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 writes the data into the RAM 25.

The subsequent processing is the same as the head contact check in the above-described embodiment.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, only one parallel / serial conversion circuit is mounted on the circuit board of the recording head instead of a plurality of bidirectional buffers, and input is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. It is possible to realize a folded output of the signal. From the viewpoint of mounting elements on a circuit board, according to this embodiment, there is an advantage that the number of mounted elements can be reduced and the circuit board area can be kept smaller.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the droplets ejected from the recording head are ink, and that the liquid stored in the ink tank is ink. It is not limited. For example, an ink tank may contain a processing liquid discharged to a recording medium in order to improve the fixability and water resistance of the recorded image or to improve the image quality.

In the above embodiment, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, or the like) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink is provided, particularly in the ink jet recording method. By using the method in which the state of the ink is changed by the thermal energy, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type.
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition to the cartridge type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, the recording head is electrically connected to the apparatus main body by being mounted on the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head, which enables a simple connection and supply of ink from the apparatus main body, may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and the recording head may be integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or lower, the ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature is used. Or, in the ink jet method, generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range.
It is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided not only as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer but also integrally or separately provided, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception apparatus. It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile) including one device Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of contacts for inputting a recording signal, a clock signal for transferring the recording signal, and a control signal for a recording operation based on the recording signal, Between a recording head having a holding circuit for holding an input signal input through the contact of the recording head, and a folding circuit for folding and outputting the held signal, and a recording apparatus to which the head is attached and used. From the recording head, instructs the recording head to return the signal, receives the signal returned by the recording head and transferred, based on the received signal, between the recording head and the recording device The connection between the recording head and the recording device is checked by analyzing the connection state and displaying the analysis result on the display, so that a quick and reliable connection check can be made. .

Thus, the confirmation need not be performed by actually recording the image on the recording medium, and a more efficient confirmation operation can be performed.

Further, there is an advantage that it is possible to identify which signal has a connection failure in the confirmation.

[0083]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printer device having a print head that performs printing according to an ink jet system, which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control circuit of the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a signal input / output control circuit provided in a recording head 9A.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of signals for driving a recording head.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming electrical connection of a contact portion (head contact check).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control circuit of a printer device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a signal input / output control circuit according to another embodiment.

8 is a time chart of signals input / output from the signal input / output control circuit shown in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium 2, 3 Conveyance roller 4 Sheet feed motor 5 Guide shaft 6 Carriage 7 Carriage motor 8 Belt 9A-9D Recording head 10A-10D Contact part 21 CPU 22 Interface 23 EEPROM 24 ROM 25 RAM 26, 36 Output port 28 Power supply device 29 Recording head control circuit 38-0-8 Data latch circuit 39-0-8 Bidirectional buffer 41 Parallel / serial conversion circuit 42 Carriage motor control circuit 44 Sheet feed motor control circuit 60A-60D Operation keys 61A, 61B LED 64 Operation Panel 65 LCD 70 CPU bus 81 Analog switch 82 Serial / parallel conversion circuit 92A, 92B, 92C, 92D Ink compartment 100 Host 103 Monitor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C056 EA20 EA22 EA24 EB04 EB07 EB39 EB44 EB58 EB59 EC04 EC07 EC28 FA03 FA10 HA51 KD10 2C061 AQ05 BB12 BB13 BB30 KK04 KK06 KK22 KK23 KK27 KK28 KK35

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A recording head having a plurality of recording elements for performing recording on a recording medium, comprising: a recording signal; a clock signal for transmitting the recording signal; A plurality of contacts for externally inputting a control signal; a holding circuit for holding an input signal input from the outside via the plurality of contacts; and a wrapping for wrapping and outputting the signal held by the holding circuit A recording head comprising a circuit. 2. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the folding circuit has a bidirectional buffer that switches a data transfer direction according to an external signal. 3. A plurality of holding circuits are provided corresponding to the plurality of contacts, and the folding circuit converts a signal input in parallel from the plurality of holding circuits into an external signal into a serial signal and outputs the signal. The recording head according to claim 1, further comprising a parallel-serial conversion circuit. 4. The control signal includes a block selection signal used to divide the plurality of recording elements into blocks, a drive signal for driving the plurality of recording elements, and latching the recording signal in the holding circuit. 2. The recording head according to claim 1, further comprising a latch signal for performing the operation. 5. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. 6. The ink jet recording head according to claim 5, further comprising a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to discharge the ink using thermal energy. A recording head according to claim 1. 7. A recording apparatus using the recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a connection means for mounting the recording head, and a signal transmitted to the recording head via the connection means. Output means for outputting a signal, instruction means for instructing the recording head to fold a signal, reception means for receiving a signal folded and transferred by the recording head, and a signal received by the reception means. A recording device for analyzing a connection state between the recording head and the connection unit; and a display unit for displaying an analysis result by the analysis unit. 8. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is provided on a carriage that reciprocates by mounting the recording head, and by providing a plurality of contacts on the carriage, when the recording head is mounted on the carriage, the recording is performed. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of contacts of the head are in contact with a plurality of contacts provided on the carriage to make an electrical connection. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the signal output from the output unit and the signal reception by the reception unit are performed by sharing the same contact. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the signal output from the output unit and the signal reception by the reception unit are performed using different contacts. 11. As a result of the analysis by the analysis means, it is determined that the connection state between the recording head and the connection means is not normal, and when the recording head is remounted, a signal from the output means is output. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising control means for controlling output and a signal return instruction by said instruction means, reception of a return signal by said reception means, and analysis by said analysis means. . 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the instruction by said instruction means is made using a reset signal output to said recording head to reset the state of said recording head. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the instruction by said instruction means is made using a latch signal used for causing said recording head to latch a recording signal. 14. A connection confirming method for confirming a connection between a recording head according to claim 1 and a recording apparatus to which said recording head is mounted, wherein a signal is sent from said recording apparatus to said recording head. An output step of outputting a signal to the recording head, an instruction step of instructing the recording head to fold a signal, a receiving step of receiving a signal folded by the recording head and transferred to the recording apparatus, and a receiving step of receiving the signal. A connection confirmation method between the recording head and the recording device based on the received signal, and a display step of displaying an analysis result by the analysis unit on a display. .