JP2000029793A - Recorder and information holding method for the recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder capable of performing an appropriate treatment and maintaining a normal recording operation, while considering the number of times of writing information to a nonvolatile memory. SOLUTION: In this information holding method, at supplying of power to this recorder provided with an exchangeable EEPROM for holding information required for the recording operation and the number of times of updating the information, the information and the number of times of updating are read from the EEPROM, the read information and number of times of updating are stored in a DRAM, the number of times of updating is compared with a prescribed threshold value, and the exchange of the EERPROM is urged to a device user corresponding to the compared result. Also, the information stored in a storage medium is transmitted to an external device, and after the exchange of the EEPROM. Furthermore, the transmitted information is received again and stored in the DRAM. At disconnecting of power of the recorder, the information stored in the DRAM is written to the EEPROM, together with the newly updated number of times of updating.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and an information holding method in the recording apparatus, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus for writing and holding information in a nonvolatile memory and an information holding method in the recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer device has an operation mode for defining its operation, an adjustment value for using the printer device in an optimal state, and information for maintaining the printer device. The information was written to the non-volatile memory at any time, and such information was read when necessary. As this nonvolatile memory, for example, a memory such as an EEPROM has been adopted because of its easy handling.

[0003]

However, although such a non-volatile memory usually has an upper limit in the number of times of writing, the conventional printer considers the upper limit of the number of times of writing. Therefore, there is a problem that if writing is performed beyond that, the contents of the non-volatile memory become indefinite and normal operation cannot be performed.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and a recording apparatus capable of taking appropriate measures in consideration of the number of times of writing information to a nonvolatile memory and maintaining a normal recording operation, and a recording apparatus therefor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for holding information in a recording device.

[0005]

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

That is, a recording apparatus having an exchangeable non-volatile memory for holding information necessary for a recording operation and the number of updates of the information, wherein the information and the number of updates are stored in the non-volatile memory when the power is turned on. Reading means for reading the information, storage means for storing the information read by the reading means and the number of updates, a comparing means for comparing the number of updates with a predetermined threshold, and according to a comparison result by the comparing means A notification unit for prompting the user of the device to replace the nonvolatile memory, a transmission unit for transmitting the information stored in the storage unit to an external device according to a comparison result by the comparison unit, Receiving means for receiving the information again from the external device, clearing the update count, and storing the information in the storage means; A recording apparatus characterized by having a writing means for writing together with newly updated number of updates the information stored in stages in the nonvolatile memory.

For example, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is preferably inserted into a socket on a circuit board.

The notifying means includes an LED, a buzzer, and an LCD.
It is good to include

The writing means compares the information stored in the storage means with the information stored in the non-volatile memory, and only when the two do not match, stores the information stored in the non-volatile memory in the non-volatile memory. It is desirable to control writing to the memory to update the information stored in the nonvolatile memory, and at that time, it is preferable to update the value of the update count.

The storage means is preferably a DRAM.

Further, it is preferable that the transmitting means and the receiving means have an interface means for communicating with an external device.

The recording apparatus described above has a thermal energy for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink so as to perform recording by ejecting ink using thermal energy in order to perform recording on a recording medium. It is preferable to further include an ink jet recording head including a conversion body.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information holding method in a recording apparatus having an exchangeable nonvolatile memory for retaining information necessary for a recording operation and the number of updates of the information, the method comprising: A reading step of reading the information and the number of updates from the nonvolatile memory at power-on; a storing step of storing the information and the number of updates read in the reading step in a storage medium; And a comparing step of comparing the non-volatile memory according to the comparison result in the comparing step, a notifying step for prompting the user of the device to replace the non-volatile memory, and the comparison result in the comparing step. A transmitting step of transmitting the information to an external device, receiving the information transmitted in the transmitting step again, clearing the update count, A receiving step of storing the information in a storage medium, and a writing step of writing the information stored in the storage medium into the nonvolatile memory together with a newly updated number of times of updating when the power of the recording device is turned off. And a method for holding information in a recording apparatus.

In the writing step, the information stored in the storage medium is compared with the information stored in the non-volatile memory, and the information stored in the storage medium is compared only when the two do not match. It is preferable to update the information stored in the non-volatile memory by writing to the non-volatile memory. In that case, it is preferable to update the value of the update count.

According to the present invention, when power is supplied to a recording apparatus having an exchangeable nonvolatile memory for retaining information necessary for a recording operation and the number of times of updating the information, the information is read from the nonvolatile memory. The update count is read, the read information and the update count are stored in a storage medium, the update count is compared with a predetermined threshold, and according to the comparison result, the user of the device is prompted to exchange the nonvolatile memory. Transmitting the information stored in the storage medium to an external device, further receiving the transmitted information again, clearing the update count, storing the updated information in the storage medium, and storing the information in the storage medium when the power of the recording apparatus is turned off. The updated information is written to the nonvolatile memory together with the newly updated number of updates.

[0016]

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

<Schematic Description of Apparatus Main Body> FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of an ink jet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) IJRA as a typical embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a spiral groove 500 of a lead screw 5005 that rotates via drive transmission gears 5009 to 5011 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a drive motor 5013
The carriage HC engaged with the carriage 4 has a pin (not shown), and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b instructed by the guide rail 5003. The print head I is provided on the carriage HC.
An integrated ink jet cartridge IJC containing a JH and an ink tank IT is mounted. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the recording paper P against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage HC. 50
Reference numerals 07 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which confirm the presence of a carriage lever 5006 in this area, and
It is a home position detector for switching the rotation direction of the camera. A member 5016 supports a cap member 5022 for capping the front surface of the recording head IJH.
A suction unit 015 sucks the inside of the cap, and recovers the suction of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap.
Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member that allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. The cleaning blade is supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a well-known cleaning blade can be applied to the main body. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery. The lever 5021 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage, and the driving force from the drive motor is driven by a known transmission mechanism such as clutch switching. Movement is controlled.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If the desired operation is performed at the timing described above, any of the present invention can be applied.

On the front of the printer, there is provided a display panel 5030 having an LED 5031 for notifying the operation status of the apparatus, a buzzer 5032, and an LCD 5033 for displaying the operation status as a message. LED5
031, buzzer 5032, LCD 5033
Is controlled by a control circuit described below.

<Description of Control Structure> Next, a control structure for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the printer IJRA. In FIG. 1 showing a control circuit, reference numeral 100 denotes a print control command and print data for a printer IJ.
A host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host) 101 having a function of transmitting a response signal or error information from the printer IJRA and displaying it to a user;
, A connection cable for connecting the host 100 and the printer IJRA; 1700, an interface for inputting print data; 1701, a microprocessor (MPU) for controlling the entire printer; 1702, a ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701; This is a DRAM for storing various data (such as the print data and print signals supplied to the print head IJH).

Reference numeral 1704 denotes a gate array (GA) for controlling the supply of print signals to the print head IJH, and includes an interface 1700, an MPU 1701, and a RAM.
Data transfer control between 1703 is also performed. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carriage motor for transporting the printhead IJH;
Reference numeral 9 denotes a transport motor for transporting a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the recording head IJH, and reference numerals 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.

Reference numeral 1708 denotes an operation mode for defining the operation of the printer IJRA, an adjustment value for using the printer IJRA in an optimum state, and a printer IJRA.
Is an EEPROM for storing information for maintenance. Various control signals such as chip select, read, write, and clock signals are transmitted and received between the EEPROM 1708 and the MPU 1701 in addition to the above information. Note that a nonvolatile memory other than the EEPROM (for example, an SRAM with a backup power supply) may be used.

The timer 1711 causes the MPU 1701 to generate an interrupt at a predetermined cycle. MPU1
701 counts the number of interrupts,
It becomes possible to measure various times.

The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When recording data enters the interface 1700, the gate array 1
The recording data is converted into a recording signal for printing between the 704 and the MPU 1701. And the motor driver 1
706 and 1707 are driven, and the print head I is driven according to the print data sent to the head driver 1705.
JH is driven and recording is performed.

When the number of times of writing to the EEPROM 1708 exceeds a predetermined number, an LED 5031 provided on the display panel 5030 is turned on, a buzzer 5032 sounds, and a predetermined message is displayed on the LCD 5033 to indicate that. Notify the device user. The display panel 5030 also includes an LED (not shown) for displaying power on / off and other operation states of the apparatus.

Next, how the contents of the EEPROM 1708 are input / output in the printer having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the information storage area of the EEPROM 1708 and the related information storage area of the DRAM 1703.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the DRAM 1703, a work area (WORK) is set as a temporary save area for information in the EEPROM 1708.

Here, control of reading from the EEPROM 1708 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This control is performed by the MPU 1701 using the ROM.
This is realized by executing the control program stored in 1702.

First, when the power of the printer IJRA is turned on, in step S400, data in the EEPROM 1708 is read, and the data is copied to a work area (WORK) of the DRAM 1703. This data contains EEP
Information on the number of times of writing to the ROM 1708 (WRTN) is also included.

In the next step S401, the EEPROM 1
Referring to the area where the number of times of writing (WRTN) to 708 is stored, it is checked whether or not the number of times of writing (WRTN) exceeds a predetermined number of times (WMAX). If WRTN> WMAX, the process proceeds to step S
In step S403, the LED 5031 is turned on. In step S403, the buzzer 5032 is sounded, and a message is displayed on the LCD 5033.
The user of the device is prompted to exchange M.

On the other hand, if WRTN ≦ WMAX, the process ends as it is. Thereafter, the work area (WO) may be used as necessary until the power is turned off and turned on again.
RK) is referred to or updated.

Next, the write control to the EEPROM 1708 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This control is performed by the MPU 1701 by the ROM 17.
02 is executed by executing the control program stored in the control program 02.

First, in step S500, it is monitored whether the power switch to the printer has been turned off. Therefore, the monitoring in this processing step will be continued after the printer is powered on until the power off is detected.
If the power has not been turned off, the process waits in step S500. On the other hand, if power-off is detected, the process proceeds to step S501, and the contents of the EEPROM 1708 and the work area (WORK) are compared.

As a result, if there is a difference between the two, the process proceeds to step S502, where the value of the number of times of writing (WRTN) defined in the work area (WORK) is updated.
Further, in step S503, the contents of the work area (WORK) are written into the EEPROM 1708, and the
708 is updated. On the other hand, step S5
As a result of the comparison in 01, if they match, the EEP
The writing to the ROM 1708 is not performed, and the process ends.

Next, control for transmitting the contents of the EEPROM 1708 to an external device (for example, the host 100) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This control is realized by the MPU 1701 executing a control program stored in the ROM 1702. It is also assumed that the area stored in the work area (WORK) is an area whose addresses are continuous.

First, in step S601, the amount of data (the number of bytes: TBY) stored in the work area (WORK)
TE) is set to the variable (n). Next, step S60
In step 2, the start address (TADDR) of the work area (WORK) is set in the pointer variable (p).

Next, in step S603, the data of the address indicated by the pointer variable (p) is transferred to the interface 170.
0 to an external device (for example, the host 100). Thereafter, in step S604, the value of the pointer (p) is incremented by "+1", and the value of the variable (n) is decremented by "-1".

Finally, in step S605, the variable (n)
Is determined to be “0”, and if n> 0, the process returns to step S603, and step S603 is performed.
Steps S605 to S605 are repeated until all data in the work area (WORK) is transmitted. On the other hand, n = 0
If so, it is determined that transmission has been completed, and the process ends.

Next, an external device (for example, host 100)
Will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 for writing the data received from the server in the work area (WORK) and updating the contents. This control is realized by the MPU 1701 executing a control program stored in the ROM 1702. Note that this writing is performed on the address continuous area of the work area (WORK), and the amount of data (the number of bytes: TBY) stored in the work area (WORK) by this writing
TE) itself does not change.

First, in step S700, the work area (W
ORK) (the number of bytes: TBYT)
E) is set to the variable (n), and in step S701, the start address (TADDR) of the work area (WORK) is set to the pointer variable (p).

In the next step S702, an external device (for example, the host 100) is connected via the interface 1700.
And stores the received data in the unit of one byte at the address indicated by the pointer variable (p). Next, in step S703, the pointer (p) is incremented by "+1" and the value of the variable (n) is also decremented by "-1".

Then, in step S704, the variable (n)
Is checked to see if the value of “.” Has become “0”. If n> 0, the process returns to step S702, and the process returns to step S702.
Steps S704 to S704 are repeated until reception is completed. On the other hand, if n = 0, it is determined that reception has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S705, where the number of updates is cleared to zero. afterwards,
The process ends.

Finally, the operation and processing when the number of times of writing (WRTN) to the EEPROM 1708 exceeds a predetermined number of times (WMAX) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this process, when the power of the printer IJRA is turned on, the process shown in FIG. 4 is executed, and it is determined that the number of times of writing (WRTN) exceeds a predetermined number of times (WMAX) (WRTN> WMAX). It is executed when it is done. In other words, this processing is performed in step S shown in FIG.
It is activated based on the result of 401.

In such a case, the processing first proceeds to step S
At 802, a process of transmitting the contents of the EEPROM 1708 to an external device (for example, the host 100) is performed. This process is executed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Next, in step S803, the device user replaces the EEPROM with a new one. This replacement is performed by taking out the mounted EEPROM by inserting it into a predetermined socket of the control circuit board, and inserting a new EEPROM into the socket. During the replacement operation, the power supply to the printer is cut off (the operation procedure is not shown). At this point, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed, but the contents of the EEPROM at this time are not guaranteed, and the EEPROM is discarded, so that no problem occurs.

When this replacement operation is completed, power is supplied to the printer again. At this point, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Since no information is written in the ROM, the DRAM 1
No significant information is written in the work area 703 (WORK). However, no problem occurs because the actual recording operation is not performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S804, in which an external device (for example, the host
0) is executed to receive write data to the EEPROM. This process is executed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. For example, the host 100 turns on the printer IJRA again, and
It is confirmed via the interface 1700 that communication with the host 100 has been enabled, and in step S802, transmission of the data sent to the host 100 and backed up is started.
Thus, the reception process in step S804 starts.

In the last step S804, when the power switch of the printer is turned off (at the time of power off), a process of receiving data from the host and writing data stored in the work area (WORK) to a new EEPROM is executed. This process is executed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. At this point, the value of the number of times of writing (WRTN) is initialized to “1”.

In order to execute the processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a printer driver for communicating with the printer IJRA to exchange information is installed in an external device such as the host 100. Needless to say, it is possible.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, E
If the number of times of writing to the EPROM exceeds the number of times, the device user is urged to replace it and the EEPROM is replaced.
The contents of M are temporarily backed up to the host, and after the exchange, the contents are downloaded again from the host,
When the printer is powered off, its contents can be stored in a new EEPROM that has been replaced.

As a result, the contents of the information stored in the EEPROM are always guaranteed, and the apparatus does not operate abnormally.

In the above-described embodiment, an EEPROM is used as a representative of the nonvolatile memory. However, it is needless to say that another nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory having a limited number of times of writing may be used.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the liquid droplets ejected from the recording head are ink and 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.

The above-described embodiment is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for performing ink ejection even in an ink jet recording system. By using a method in which a change in the state of the ink is caused by energy, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical structure 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 driving 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 configuration (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter 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 a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above 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, but may be a single recording head 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 temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, the temperature is positively prevented.
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, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to those provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like; It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

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

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code 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 realizes 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 instructions 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.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, when power is turned on to a recording apparatus having an exchangeable nonvolatile memory for holding information necessary for a recording operation and the number of updates of the information, the nonvolatile The information and the number of updates are read from the non-volatile memory, the read information and the number of updates are stored in a storage medium, the number of updates is compared with a predetermined threshold, and the nonvolatile memory is replaced according to the comparison result. Prompts the user and sends the information stored in the storage medium to an external device,
Furthermore, since the transmitted information is received again and stored in the storage medium, and when the power of the recording apparatus is turned off, the information stored in the storage medium is written to the nonvolatile memory together with the newly updated number of updates. Even when the number of updates of the non-volatile memory exceeds an upper limit value defined by a predetermined threshold, there is an effect that the information can be taken over by a new non-volatile memory to be replaced.

As a result, the information necessary for the recording operation is continuously retained, the normal operation of the recording apparatus is guaranteed, and the reliability of the apparatus is improved.

Furthermore, since the data stored in the nonvolatile memory is not lost, there is an advantage that the maintenance is easy.

[0076]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a configuration of an ink jet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) IJRA which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the printer IJRA.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between an EEPROM and a DRAM work area.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of reading data from an EEPROM.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of writing data to an EEPROM.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting the contents of an EEPROM to a host.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of receiving the contents of an EEPROM from a host.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a recovery procedure when the number of times of writing to the EEPROM exceeds a predetermined number.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Host computer 1700 Interface 1701 MPU 1702 ROM 1703 DRAM 1708 EEPROM 5030 Display panel

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ05 AR01 HH01 HK23 HV16 HV26 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB01 AC07 BC15 DA07 5B018 GA04 HA23 KA01 KA02 MA23 NA06 QA05 QA11 5B021 DD14 DD20 MM01 NN19 NN21

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus having an exchangeable non-volatile memory for holding information necessary for a recording operation and the number of updates of the information, wherein at power-on, the information and the number of updates are stored in the non-volatile memory from the non-volatile memory. Reading means for reading the information, storage means for storing the information read by the reading means and the update count, comparison means for comparing the update count with a predetermined threshold, and according to the comparison result by the comparison means Notification means for prompting the device user to replace the non-volatile memory; transmission means for transmitting the information stored in the storage means to an external device according to a comparison result by the comparison means; Receiving means for receiving the information again from the external device, clearing the update count, and storing the information in the storage means; Recording apparatus; and a writing means for writing together with newly updated number of updates the information stored in stages in the nonvolatile memory. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory is inserted into a socket of a circuit board. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nonvolatile memory includes an EEPROM. 4. The notification means includes an LED, a buzzer, and an LC.
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: D. 5. The writing means compares the information stored in the storage means with the information stored in the non-volatile memory, and only when the two do not match, writes the information stored in the storage means. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a writing control unit that controls writing to the nonvolatile memory to update information stored in the nonvolatile memory. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when updating the information stored in the nonvolatile memory, the write control unit updates the value of the update count. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is a DRAM. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means further include an interface means for communicating with said external device. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink to perform recording on a recording medium. 10. The ink jet recording head according to claim 9, 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. The recording device according to claim 1. 11. An information holding method in a printing apparatus having an exchangeable nonvolatile memory for holding information necessary for a printing operation and the number of times of updating the information, wherein the nonvolatile memory is used when the power to the printing apparatus is turned on. A read step of reading the information and the update count from the volatile memory; a storage step of storing the information and the update count read in the read step in a storage medium; and comparing the update count with a predetermined threshold. A comparing step, according to the comparison result in the comparing step, a notifying step in which the device user is urged to replace the nonvolatile memory, and according to the comparison result in the comparing step, the information stored in the storage medium is sent to an external device. A transmitting step of transmitting, the information transmitted in the transmitting step is received again, the update count is cleared, and the information is stored in the storage medium. And a writing step of writing the information stored in the storage medium into the non-volatile memory together with a newly updated number of updates when the power of the recording apparatus is turned off. Information retention method. 12. The writing step compares the information stored in the storage medium with the information stored in the non-volatile memory, and only when the two do not match, writes the information stored in the storage medium. Writing to the non-volatile memory,
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the information stored in the nonvolatile memory is updated. 13. The information holding method according to claim 12, wherein in the writing step, when updating the information stored in the nonvolatile memory, the value of the update count is further updated. .