JP2000112296A - Printing device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily maintain environment as it is before parts are exchanged even after the exchanging work of the parts is executed. SOLUTION: The developing units of a Y, an M, a C and BK components are freely loaded and unloaded to/from a developing unit supporting part 209. The respective developing units are provided with a non-volatile memory control part. When an engine control part or a controller part is to be exchanged, information stored in it is saved to the memories of the developing units. By resuming the information saved to the developing units, a state obtained before the exchanging work can be maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, printing apparatuses, such as laser beam printers, have advanced in functions and performance such as high speed, high quality and full color. Under such circumstances, the mechanical and mechanical aspects of the printer engine, especially full-color models and high-speed models,
The electrical configuration is becoming more and more unitized, and is not limited to unitization simply for reducing production costs, but also realizes maintenance and easy maintenance by unit replacement.

For example, in a laser beam printer, there is a detachable cartridge in which a toner, a developing device, and a photosensitive drum are integrated, and recently, the photosensitive drum and the toner are formed in separate units, or a fixing device is detachable. Units are becoming more and more simple. In addition, board replacement of a control system that is complicatedly connected to various electrical systems and cannot be easily replaced alone has been required to be more easily replaceable.

[0004]

However, in the conventional unit replacement method, individual units of data stored in various units, particularly, an engine control board and an image forming board, for example, non-volatile data of the control board at the time of factory shipment. It is necessary for the user (operator) to previously record or store various correction values stored in the memory and values that change with time, and to set and store the values again after replacement. In addition, such a work often requires a dedicated jig, and in many cases, a user who performs maintenance requires highly specialized technology and knowledge.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus capable of easily maintaining an environment before replacement even when parts are replaced. It is intended to provide a control method.

In order to solve this problem, for example, a printing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a printing apparatus that records and outputs an image on a recording medium by an image forming unit, in which a replaceable part has a storage holding unit that stores and holds information unique to each part, and stores the other parts. The holding means includes a saving means for writing information stored and held in its own storage holding means, and a return means for returning the information saved in other parts to its own storage holding means.

[0007]

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

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram including the color laser printer of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an external device such as a host computer;
Is a color laser beam printer to which the present embodiment is applied.

The color laser beam printer 102 includes:
By actually forming a latent image on the photosensitive drum for each dot data of each color component of Y, M, C, and Bk, Y, M
A printer engine unit 105 that performs printing by superimposing and thermally fixing four colors of M, C, and Bk, is connected to the printer engine unit 105, and transmits code data and image data (RGB, YMCK) transmitted from the external device 101. And generates page information for each color component consisting of dot data of each color of Y, M, C, and Bk based on this data,
A controller unit 103 sequentially transmits dot data to the printer engine unit 105. An operator (user) can specify various operations on the color laser beam printer 102 by operating the panel unit 104.

FIG. 2 shows a printer engine unit 105 of the color laser beam printer according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes a sheet as a recording medium, and reference numeral 202 denotes a sheet cassette for holding the sheet 201. Reference numeral 203 denotes a cassette paper feed clutch, which separates only the top sheet of the paper 201 placed on the paper cassette 202, and connects the leading end of the paper separated by a driving unit (not shown) to the paper feed roller 204. The cam that conveys to the position intermittently rotates each time paper is fed, and feeds one sheet of paper in response to one rotation. When the paper is conveyed by the paper feed clutch 203, the paper feed roller 204 rotates while lightly pressing the paper 201 and conveys the paper 201.

On the other hand, reference numeral 222 denotes a paper tray, and 221 denotes a manual paper feed clutch, which enables not only paper feeding from the paper cassette 202 but also manual paper feeding one by one from the paper tray 222.

A transfer drum 205 rotates at a predetermined speed. When the gripper 206 on the transfer drum 205 reaches the leading end position of the sheet, the gripper sandwiches the leading end of the sheet. Further, the sheet 201 is assisted by the sheet conveying roller 207 to wind the sheet 201 around the transfer drum 205.

Reference numeral 208 denotes a photosensitive drum, 209 denotes a developing device support portion, 210 denotes a yellow toner developing device, and 211 denotes M:
A magenta toner developing device 212 is a C: cyan toner developing device, and 213 is a Bk: black toner developing device.

The developing device support portion 209 is rotated by a motor (not shown) so that a developing device for a desired color toner is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 208 and the developing device in contact with the developing device performs development.

Reference numeral 214 denotes a laser driver, which forms an image on the photosensitive drum 208 while turning on / off a semiconductor laser (not shown) in accordance with dot data sent from the printer controller 103, and scans in the main scanning direction to form a main image. A latent image is formed on a scanning line. At the same time, photosensitive drum 2
08 is rotationally driven while synchronizing with the position of the sheet 201 on the transfer drum 205. Thereby, the photosensitive drum 2
A two-dimensional electrostatic latent image is formed on 08. More specifically, the surface of the photosensitive drum 205 charged by a charger (not shown) is exposed to a
A latent image for a page (an electrostatic latent image corresponding to one color component) is formed. The latent image on the photosensitive drum 205 is
After the toner image is visualized as a toner image by a predetermined color toner developing unit among 210, 211, 212, and 213, the toner image is transferred to the sheet 201 on the transfer drum 205.

Further, the above-described toner image is superimposed on the sheet 201 on the transfer drum 205 by the necessary number of color toners.
The paper 201 on which the necessary toner image has been transferred is separated from the transfer drum 205 by the transfer separation claw 216, the toner image is heated and fixed by the fixing rollers 217, 217 ', and discharged through the transport rollers 218, 218', 219. The sheet is discharged to the tray 220.

In the color laser beam printer 102 of this embodiment, the processes of forming and transferring a latent image are performed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

Each of the yellow toner developing device 210, the magenta toner developing device 211, the cyan toner developing device 212, and the black toner developing device 213 has a cassette type housing, and can be detached independently of the main body. Therefore, hereinafter, 210 is referred to as a Y cartridge, 211 as an M cartridge, 212 as a C cartridge, and 213 as a K cartridge.

Although not shown, each cartridge 21
Reference numerals 0, 211, 212, and 213 each include a nonvolatile storage device that is a feature of the present embodiment and a memory control unit that controls the nonvolatile storage device.

The developing device support 209 has a cartridge interface (not shown).
Access to the non-volatile memory can be performed through the memory control of each of 212 and 213.

FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of the printer engine unit 105 which is a part of FIG.

Reference numeral 401 denotes an engine control unit for integrally controlling the printer engine unit 105. Reference numeral 404 denotes Y for controlling the nonvolatile memory built in the Y cartridge 210.
Similarly, reference numeral 405 denotes an M cartridge memory control unit incorporated in the M cartridge 211, 406 denotes a C cartridge memory control unit incorporated in the C cartridge 212, and 407 denotes a K cartridge 21
3 is a K cartridge memory control unit. 4
Reference numeral 03 denotes a cartridge interface unit provided in the developing device support unit 209. Each cartridge is provided with a developing device indicator 2
09 is electrically connected to this interface unit when loaded.

FIG. 7 shows the Y cartridge memory controller 40.
4. A part of a logical map of a nonvolatile memory of a memory control unit of the M cartridge memory control unit 405, the C cartridge memory control unit 406, and the K cartridge memory control unit 407, a memory of the controller unit 103, and an engine control unit The memory (for example, EEPRO)
M). In the present embodiment, the map configuration of the non-volatile memories of the four cartridges is the same. Further, the engine control unit storage values shown in the figure are:
The values are individual values stored in the engine control unit 401 at the time of factory production, and data depending on the aging of each individual printer engine 103.

As shown in FIG. 6, the leading edge registration position adjustment value is used to correct the positional deviation of the physical paper for each individual when the leading edge of the paper is sandwiched by the gripper 206 based on the latent image forming position on the photosensitive drum 208. Value. The M registration position adjustment value, the C registration position adjustment value, and the K registration position adjustment value are values for performing position correction for each color plane based on the transfer process of the Y toner. Correct individual differences in gender.

The cassette lateral registration adjustment value and the MP tray lateral registration adjustment value correct the deviation of the paper in the main scanning direction due to mechanical distortion of the housing such as the paper cassette 202 and the paper table 222. The engine output cumulative number is the printer engine unit 1
05 is the cumulative number of printed sheets.

The controller storage value is a value stored in the EEPROM 310 of the controller unit 103 at the time of factory production, and is a value that operates as an initial value for each delivery user and data that depends on the aging of each controller unit 103. The sleep transition time is a value that defines the time required for the printer unit 102 to transition from the idling state to the power saving mode. The controller output cumulative number of sheets is determined by the controller unit 103 when an image is formed and the printer engine unit 10.
5 is the number of images transferred.

The cartridge storage value is data that is provided for each cartridge and that depends on time. The cumulative number of prints is the cumulative number of images printed by the cartridge. When a full-color image is printed, all the cartridges are used. For example, when an image of only black and cyan is printed, only the number of images of these two cartridges is counted up.

The Y cartridge memory controller 404, the M cartridge memory controller 405, the C cartridge memory controller 406, and the K cartridge memory controller 40
7 and the cartridge interface unit 403 are connected by a predetermined interface. From the cartridge interface unit 403, the Y cartridge memory control unit 404, the M cartridge memory control unit 405, the C cartridge memory control unit 406, and the K cartridge memory control unit The nonvolatile memory of the unit 407 can be read (read) and written (written), and the presence or absence of connection of the Y cartridge 210, the M cartridge 211, the C cartridge 212, and the K cartridge 213 can be detected.

The engine control unit 401 and the cartridge interface unit 403 are also connected by a predetermined interface, and the engine control unit 401 sends 210, 211, 21 to the cartridge interface unit 403.
It is possible to inquire about the connection status (presence or absence) of each of the cartridges 2 and 213. 404, 405, 406 and 407
The data can be read from and written to the non-volatile memory of each memory control unit.

The controller 103 and the engine controller 4
Reference numeral 01 is connected by a predetermined video interface, and information is exchanged by serial communication of command / status in 8-bit units.

The commands include the following important commands in the present embodiment. Engine storage value write command Tip register adjustment value stored in engine control unit 401, M
Registration position adjustment value, C registration position adjustment value, K registration position adjustment value, cassette horizontal registration adjustment value, MP tray horizontal registration adjustment value,
The engine discharge cumulative number is 210, 211, 212 and 2
13 is stored in the non-volatile memory in the cartridge. • Engine storage value read commands 210, 211, 212, and 213, the tip registration adjustment value, the M registration position adjustment value, the C registration position adjustment value, and the K registration position stored in the non-volatile memory in any connected cartridge. The adjustment value, the cassette lateral registration adjustment value, the MP tray lateral registration adjustment value, and the cumulative number of discharged sheets of the engine are read out and stored in the engine control unit 401.・ Sleep transition time write command 210, 211, 210
12 and 213 are stored in the sleep transition time area of the nonvolatile memory in the cartridge. The sleep transition time read command 210, 211, 212, and 213 reads out the value stored in the sleep transition time area of the non-volatile memory in any connected cartridge and returns it as the read status. • Controller output integrated number of sheets write command
It is stored in the area of the integrated number of sheets discharged by the controller in the non-volatile memory in the cartridges 12 and 213. • Controller discharge integrated sheet number read command Among the commands 210, 211, 212, and 213, the value stored in the controller discharge integrated sheet number area of the non-volatile memory in any connected cartridge is returned as a read status.

FIG. 4 is obtained by adding a data flow to FIG.

With the configuration described so far, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
In accordance with the instruction 03, the data held by the controller unit 103 and the data held by the engine control unit 401 are individually stored in the non-volatile memories of the memory control units in the cartridges 210, 211, 212 and 213, respectively. Conversely, it can be taken out.

FIG. 5 shows the controller 103 of this embodiment.
FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a panel interface unit for receiving various settings and instructions from an operator through data communication with the panel unit 104; and 302, an input / output unit for signals with the external device 101 such as a host computer. A host interface unit 306; a printer engine unit 1
An engine interface unit, which is an input / output unit of a signal with the printer engine 05, sends a data signal from an output buffer register (not shown) and controls communication with the printer engine 105.

Reference numeral 303 denotes an image data generator for generating bitmap data for actual printing based on control code data sent from the external device 101; 305, an image memory for storing image data; and 309, a printer controller. A CPU 304 controls the entire unit 103, and a ROM 304 stores a control code of the CPU 309.
Reference numeral 07 denotes a temporary storage RAM used by the CPU. 31
Numeral 0 denotes an EEPROM which is a nonvolatile memory means.
A DMA control unit 308 transfers bitmap data in the image memory to the engine interface unit 306 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 309.

Reference numeral 311 denotes a system having an address bus and a data bus. Panel interface section 301, host interface section 302, image data generation section 30
3, ROM 304, image memory 305, engine interface unit 306, RAM 307, DMA control unit 30
8. The CPU 309 and the EEPROM 310 are each connected to the system bus 311 and can access all functional units on the system bus 311.

FIG. 8 shows the panel section 104 and the controller section 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram in which data or a control flow of an engine control unit 401 and a cartridge interface unit 403 are schematically illustrated in time series.

(A) New mounting FIG. (A) shows an example in which the Y cartridge 210 is attached and detached, but in the present embodiment, the Y cartridge 210 and the M cartridge 21
1. Monitor the attachment / detachment of each cartridge of the C cartridge 212 and the K cartridge 213. When the mounting is recognized (new mounting), the engine control unit stored value and the controller stored value are stored in the non-volatile memory of the mounted cartridge.・ Panel operation The figure (B) shows the user (mainly a service person)
3 shows the operation when the operation of the keypad is received from the panel unit 103. In the case of an instruction of “storage value write”, the engine control unit storage value and the controller storage values 210, 211, 212
And 213 are stored in all the non-volatile memories in each cartridge.

If the instruction is "read stored value",
Of the cartridges 210, 211, 212, and 213, the engine controller storage value is stored in the engine controller 401 from the non-volatile memory of an arbitrary mounted cartridge.
The controller storage value is stored in the EEPROM 310.

As shown in FIG. 7A, data is automatically backed up in the non-volatile memory in the newly installed cartridge, and as shown in FIG. Can be implemented.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation control of the CPU 309 according to this embodiment.

The control code for controlling the CPU 309 is composed of an OS for performing time-division control in units of load modules called tasks by a system clock (not shown) and a plurality of load modules (tasks) operating in units of functions. And This program is stored in the ROM 304.

The stored value maintenance task stores the engine control unit stored value and the controller stored value as necessary at 210 and 21.
This task is to back up the data to the nonvolatile memory in the cartridges 1, 212, and 213 and to return the values to the controller 103 and the engine controller 401 as necessary.

When activated by turning on the power, the above-described engine storage value write command is first issued, and the tip registration adjustment value, the M registration position adjustment value, the C registration position adjustment value stored in the engine control unit, An instruction is issued to store the K-registration position adjustment value, the cassette lateral registration adjustment value, the MP tray lateral registration adjustment value, and the cumulative number of discharged sheets in the non-volatile memory in the cartridges 210, 211, 212 and 213.

Further, the sleep transition time is read from the EEPROM 310 and a sleep transition time write command is issued as a parameter, and the controller discharge cumulative number is read from the EEPROM 301 and a controller discharge cumulative number write command is issued as a parameter (step S20). .

When the new cartridge is recognized (step S11), the above-described engine storage value write command is issued, and the tip registration adjustment value, the M registration position adjustment value, the C registration position adjustment value stored in the engine control unit are output. An instruction is issued to store the K-registration position adjustment value, the cassette lateral registration adjustment value, the MP tray lateral registration adjustment value, and the cumulative number of discharged sheets in the non-volatile memory in the cartridges 210, 211, 212 and 213 (step S12). .

Further, the sleep transition time is read from the EEPROM 310 and a sleep transition time write command is issued as a parameter, and the controller discharge cumulative number is read from the EEPROM 310 and a controller discharge cumulative number write command is issued as a parameter (step S13). .

Next, when the write instruction from the panel is recognized (step S14), the above-mentioned engine storage value write command is issued, and the leading edge register adjustment value, the M register position adjustment value, and the C register are stored in the engine controller. The position adjustment value, the K registration position adjustment value, the cassette side registration adjustment value, the MP tray side registration adjustment value, and the total number of engine ejections are 210, 211, and 21.
An instruction is given to store the data in the nonvolatile memories in the cartridges Nos. 2 and 213 (step S15).

Further, the sleep transition time is read out from the EEPROM 310, a sleep transition time write command is issued as a parameter, and the controller discharge integrated number write command is issued from the EEPROM 310 (step S16).

Next, upon recognizing the read history from the panel (step S17), the above-described engine storage value read command is issued and any of the cartridges 210, 211, 212, and 213 connected to any of the cartridges is read. The leading edge registration adjustment value, M registration position adjustment value, C registration position adjustment value, K registration position adjustment value, cassette horizontal registration adjustment value, MP tray horizontal registration adjustment value, and engine discharge integrated sheet number stored in the non-volatile memory are stored in the engine. An instruction is stored in the control unit 401 (step S18).

Further, a sleep transition time read command is issued, and the sleep transition time stored in the non-volatile memory in an arbitrary cartridge connected among the cartridges 210, 211, 212 and 213 is obtained as a status. It is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 310.

Further, the controller issues a command to read the integrated number of sheets discharged from the controller, and outputs 210, 211, 212 and 213.
The controller obtains the integrated number of sheets discharged from the controller stored in the non-volatile memory of any cartridge connected to the cartridge as a status, and stores the status in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 310.

Monitoring is performed by periodically executing the above from step S11 at predetermined intervals.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail a method of recognizing a new installation of a cartridge.

When a notification of "cartridge present" is received from the engine control unit 401 (step S31), if there is no cartridge installed state recognized as the controller unit 103 (step S32), a new cartridge is installed. Therefore, the recognition is updated (step S
33), a new installation flag is set (step S3)
4).

When a notification of "no cartridge" is received from the engine control unit 401 (step S31), if there is a mounted state of the cartridge recognized as the controller unit 103 (step S35).
The recognition is updated (step S36).

By configuring and controlling in this manner, model-specific data stored in the controller unit 103 and the engine control unit 401 and data with time are automatically backed up in the cartridge unit. Backup and restore is easy.

As a matter of course, the data to be backed up can be edited by operating the panel.
Changing and modifying data has more flexibility.

Further, in this embodiment, the nonvolatile memory built in the four cartridges has a common map configuration so that the same value can be written and the data can be read from the nonvolatile memory built in any of the connected cartridges. By reading the data, the effect of data backup is enhanced.

In this embodiment, the controller 103 performs a series of controls such as monitoring of the attachment / detachment of the cartridge. However, even if the engine controller 401 performs the series of controls, the same effect can be obtained. it can.

In the embodiment, backup and restoration are controlled by an instruction from the panel, but the same operation can be performed by control data from an external device.

According to the present invention, the operation and effect can be obtained as long as the number of the cartridges having the nonvolatile memory is at least one. That is, even in a monochrome laser beam printer, the present invention can be implemented by having a nonvolatile memory in the toner cartridge.

When a plurality of cartridges having a non-volatile memory can be provided as in the case of a color laser beam printer, of the contents of the plurality of memories, a mechanism for deciding backup contents by using a majority decision method is used to increase the data. Reliability can be improved.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, a laser beam printer has been described as an example. However, a printer of another system may be used, and the present invention is not limited to a single printer, but is applied to a printing portion incorporated in a copying machine or the like. Is also good.

That is, 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 including one device (for example, a copier, a facsimile, etc.) Device).

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.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Automatically backs up various data stored on the engine control board and image forming board without forcing the user to perform complicated tasks, and also restores data when replacing the engine control board or image forming board. And the replacement work can be simplified.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, the environment before the replacement can be easily maintained even when the replacement of the parts is performed.

[0075]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a system including a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a printer engine to which the embodiment is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electric control system of the printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between data backup and restoration in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a controller according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining registration position correction in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a logical map configuration of the nonvolatile memory according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data flow and a control flow in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU 309 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a CPU 309 according to the embodiment.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for recording and outputting an image on a recording medium by an image forming means, wherein a replaceable part has storage and holding means for storing and holding respective information. The component storage and holding means includes a saving means for writing information stored and held in its own storage means and a return means for returning the information saved in other parts to its own storage means. Characteristic printing device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming means is means for forming an image based on an electrophotographic method. 3. The component having the storage unit includes a printer controller that controls the entire apparatus, an engine control unit that controls an engine of the printer, and a developing unit that stores a recording material. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image forming means is means for forming a color image, and said developing device has a plurality of developing devices corresponding to respective color components. 5. The printing method according to claim 4, wherein the printer controller or the engine control unit saves the information stored in its own storage unit to the plurality of developing units in the same manner. apparatus. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation panel, wherein said retraction means and said return means are activated when a predetermined instruction is issued from said operation panel. A printing device according to any of the preceding clauses. 7. A monitoring device for monitoring a mounting state of the developing device, wherein the retracting device is energized when the developing device changes from a non-mounting state to a mounting state. A printing apparatus according to claim 5. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information held in the storage holding means of the printer controller is information that changes with time. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information held in the storage holding means of the engine control unit is information unique to an individual printing apparatus. 10. A printing apparatus having a memory holding means and utilizing a plurality of replaceable parts to record and output an image on a recording medium by an image forming means. Control of a printing apparatus, comprising: a save step of writing information stored and held in its own storage unit; and a return step of returning information saved by another part to its own storage unit. Method. 11. One or more removable cartridges for storing a recording material and further including a non-volatile storage unit, and one or more control boards for controlling a printing operation and further including a non-volatile storage unit. In the printing apparatus, first information storage means for transferring information of the nonvolatile storage unit of the control board to the nonvolatile storage unit of the cartridge and storing the information, reading information from the nonvolatile storage unit of the cartridge, A second information storage unit for storing the information in the nonvolatile storage unit of the control board, wherein the information of the nonvolatile storage unit of the control board is stored as a backup in the nonvolatile storage unit of the cartridge. Printing device.