JP2001054971A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To discriminate various ink cartridges. SOLUTION: Discrimination markers 21 which are attached to ink cartridges 1 and indicated by specific colors expressing the kinds of the cartridges 1, a color information storage part 25 for storing the color of the marker 21 in advances as each color information of R, G, B in each kind of the cartridge 1, a color CCD 22 for imaging the markers 21 of the cartridges 1 fitted to a printing apparatus main body, an image treatment part 23 for separating the colors of the markers imaged by the CCD 22 into each color information of R, G, B, a kind discrimination part 24 for discriminating the kinds of the cartridges 1 on the basis of each color information of R, G, B separated by the part 23 and each color information of R, G, B stored in the part 25, and a display part 26 for displaying the kinds of the cartridges 1 discriminated by the part 24 are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus in which various ink cartridges can be exchanged and mounted, and more particularly, to a method for determining and displaying the type of an ink cartridge mounted in a printing apparatus main body. It relates to a printing device which can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus provided with means for determining whether an ink cartridge mounted on a printing apparatus main body is a color ink cartridge or a monochrome ink cartridge has been disclosed in, for example, JP-A-7-52488. Has been described. This printing apparatus is a thermal transfer printing apparatus, in which an identification marker having identification information recorded thereon is attached to the surface of an ink cartridge, and the identification marker is read by a reflection-type photosensor to thereby determine the mounted ink cartridge. The type is determined.

In this case, since the amount of light that can be read by the photosensor is determined, the type of the ink cartridge is determined by a binary signal "H" or "L" obtained from the photosensor. Become. For example, when a black identification marker is affixed to a monochrome ink cartridge and a pink identification marker is affixed to a color ink cartridge, when the signal obtained from the photo sensor is at “L” level, Determines that the mounted ink cartridge is a monochrome ink cartridge, and determines that the mounted ink cartridge is a color ink cartridge if the signal obtained from the photo sensor is at the “H” level.

[0004]

However, in the discrimination based on the signal from the photo sensor, since the obtained signal is a binary signal of "H" or "L", only two types of ink cartridges can be discriminated. . That is, when there are three or more types of ink cartridges that can be replaced and mounted (for example, three types of monochrome ink cartridge, color ink cartridge, and photo ink cartridge), such a conventional determination means cannot cope with such a problem. was there.

[0005] Further, as in the prior art, in the determination based on the binary signal of "H" or "L", the setting of a threshold value becomes a problem. For example, the identification markers of two types of ink cartridges are black and gray. In such a case, there is a problem that it is difficult to make a distinction because there is not much difference in the amount of reflected light, that is, there is a possibility that an erroneous determination may be made. Further, since the conventional discriminating means uses a photosensor, the reflected light received is reflected light at an arbitrary point of the identification marker.
For this reason, for example, when dust or the like is attached to the reflection point, there is a problem that the identification marker is determined to be a black marker although the identification marker is pink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its object is to discriminate various kinds of ink cartridges and to make an erroneous judgment due to dust or the like attached to an identification marker. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of discriminating and displaying the type of an ink cartridge mounted on a printing apparatus main body while avoiding the problem.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to the present invention is provided in each of the ink cartridges in a printing apparatus in which various ink cartridges can be exchangeably mounted. , An identification marker indicated by a unique color representing the color, a color information storage unit that stores the color of the identification marker as R, G, and B color information in advance for each type of ink cartridge, and a color information storage unit attached to the printing apparatus main body. A color image pickup device for picking up an identification marker of the ink cartridge, an image processing unit for separating the color of the identification marker picked up by the color image pickup device into R, G, and B color information; Based on the R, G, B color information and the R, G, B color information stored in the color information storage unit, A type identification module for identifying the type of ink cartridge that, characterized by comprising a display section for displaying the type of the ink cartridge is determined by the type determining portion.

In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, each of the R, G, and B color information for each type of the ink cartridge stored in the color information storage section is stored in the corresponding color solid-state imaging device. R, G, and B output levels at the time of imaging the identification marker of the cartridge are comparative reference level information in which each output level has a certain allowable range. The output levels of R, G, and B when the identification marker is imaged are compared with the reference levels of R, G, and B for each type of ink cartridge stored in the color information storage unit. When the output level is within each comparison reference level, it is determined that the ink cartridge corresponds to the comparison reference level information.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, in each of the above-described configurations, the display unit displays the type of the ink cartridge by a combination of blinking or lighting by one or a plurality of LEDs. Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, in each of the above configurations, the display unit may be an LC.
The type of the ink cartridge is displayed by character display by D.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a mechanism of the printing apparatus of the present invention. A carriage 2 on which an ink cartridge 1 having a print head (not shown) is mounted is opposed to a rubber roller 4 for sending out recording paper 3 in an upward direction (sub-scanning direction). It is provided so as to be able to reciprocate a predetermined distance in a main operation direction (directions indicated by arrows a and b in the figure). The carriage 2 is rotated by a forward or reverse rotation of a carriage motor (not shown).
It is designed to be driven via a gear belt 6.

On the other hand, the rubber roller 4 is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow c by a feed motor (not shown), and the inserted recording paper 3 is sent out in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation. ing. Also,
At the right end of the moving range of the carriage 2 in the main scanning direction, a maintenance mechanism section 15 including a wiper section (brushing section) 7, a spit section 8, and a capping section 9 is provided. The position where the print head of the ink cartridge 1 is capped by the capping section 9 is the home position of the carriage 2, that is, the ink cartridge 1.

A color CCD 2 described later is placed above the ink cartridge 1 at the home position.
2 are arranged. On the surface of the ink cartridge 1 (in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2), an identification marker 21 indicated by a unique color indicating the type of the ink cartridge 1 is attached. The color CCD 22 is arranged so as to image the identification marker 21 attached to the ink cartridge 1 when the ink cartridge 1 reaches the home position.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a main part relating to the present invention in a printing apparatus having the above configuration. The output of the color CCD 22 for imaging the identification marker 21 of the ink cartridge 1 is guided to an image processing unit 23 for separating the color of the identification marker 21 imaged by the color CCD 22 into R, G, and B color information. The R, G, and B color information separated by the image processing unit 23 is guided to a type determination unit 24 that determines the type of the ink cartridge 1. The output of the color information storage unit 25 is guided to the type determination unit 24, and the output of the type determination unit 24 is guided to a display unit that displays the type of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2. Configuration.

The color CCD 22 has a conventionally well-known structure, for example, a structure using a complementary color filter in which green, yellow, cyan, and magenta are arranged in a mosaic form.
The color information storage unit 25 stores each color of the identification marker 21 prepared according to the type of the ink cartridge 1 as R,
A color information table stored separately for each color information of G and B is stored.

For example, it is assumed that there are three types of ink cartridges 1 to be exchangeably mounted in the printing apparatus of the present invention, namely, a monochrome ink cartridge 1a, a color ink cartridge 1b, and a photo ink cartridge 1c. , A red identification marker 21b on the color ink cartridge 1b, and a green identification marker 21c on the photo ink cartridge 1c.
Are respectively attached, the color information storage unit 25 stores, for example, a color information table as shown in FIG.

That is, the monochrome ink cartridge 1
The comparison reference level of R is set to 0.9 or more, the comparison reference level of G is set to 0.9 or more, and the comparison reference level of B is set to 0.9 or more corresponding to the color of the identification marker 21a of a. ing. Further, corresponding to the color red of the identification marker 21b of the color ink cartridge 1b, the comparison reference level of R is 0.9 or more, the comparison reference level of G is 0.1 or less, and the comparison reference level of B is 0.1 or less. It is set to 1 or less. Further, corresponding to the color green of the identification marker 21c of the photo ink cartridge 1c, the comparison reference level of R is 0.1 or less, the comparison reference level of G is 0.9 or more, and the comparison reference level of B is 0. It is set to 1 or less.

Here, 0.9, which is set as the comparison reference level, indicates that the three primary colors of red, green, and blue identification markers 21 are actually imaged by the color CCD 22 and separated by the image processing unit 23. The actual output level of each of the R, G, and B signals obtained as described above is assumed to be 1.0, and this is a value having a 10% margin. That is, in an ideal state with no accuracy error or the like, the color of the identification marker 21 is red, green,
When the primary colors are blue, these are imaged by the color CCD 22 and separated into R, G, and B by the image processing unit 23.
Should always be 1.0. However, the accuracy error of the color CCD 22, the color state of the identification marker 21 (including hue difference and color fading, etc.), or the color CCD 22 and the identification marker The output level of each of the R, G, and B signals may slightly decrease due to a change in the distance from the identification marker 21 or dust attached to the identification marker 21. Allowance to be made so as to correctly determine

The same applies to the value of 0.1 set as the comparison reference level. That is, when red is captured by the color CCD 22, the green and blue color components should not appear. For example, if green stain is attached to the red identification marker 21a for some reason, this green Since some components appear, the value has a margin of 0.1 instead of 0 in order to eliminate such unexpected color component levels.

However, such a numerical value is used as the identification marker 2
This is an example for determining one color based on the levels of R, G, and B, and is not limited to such numerical values. That is, as described above, the ink cartridge 1
The identification marker 21 attached to the color CCD 2
2, R, G, B obtained from the actual imaging
Are output as the type information of the ink cartridge 1 to which the identification mark 21 is attached.
5 may be stored in the color information table.

The type discriminating section 24 stores the R, G, and B color information separated by the image processing section 23 and the color information storage section 2.
The type of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the printing apparatus main body is determined based on the R, G, and B color information stored in the color information table 5.

The display unit 26 displays the type of the ink cartridge 1 determined by the type determination unit 24. The display unit 26 includes, for example, one or a plurality of LEDs, and displays the type of the ink cartridge 1 by a combination of blinking or lighting by these LEDs.

For example, when a color LED is used as the LED, the type of the ink cartridge 1 and the lighting L
What is necessary is just to correspond with the color of ED. Also, one LE
D, the monochrome ink cartridge 1a when lit, the color ink cartridge 1b when slowly flashed, the photo ink cartridge 1c when flashed, and so on.
The information may be displayed by a combination of lighting and blinking by the LEDs. Also, two LEDs are arranged, and when one of them is turned on, the monochrome ink cartridge 1 is turned on.
a, when the other is turned on, the color ink cartridge 1b, when both are turned on, the photo ink cartridge 1c, etc., may be displayed by a combination of lighting of two LEDs. In addition, three LEDs are arranged, and each LED and the monochrome ink cartridge 1a,
The color ink cartridge 1b and the photo ink cartridge 1c may be displayed in a one-to-one correspondence.
The display unit 26 is constituted by an LCD, and the type of the ink cartridge 1 is set to “black”, “color”, “photo”
May be displayed.

Next, the process of determining the ink cartridge 1 in the printing apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the color information table shown in FIG. 3 and the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, when the user of the printing apparatus turns on the power (determined Yes in step S1), the printing apparatus starts discriminating the type of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 and located at the home position (step S1). S2).

That is, the identification marker 21 of the ink cartridge 1 located at the home position is imaged by the color CCD 22 facing it (step S3), and the color of the imaged identification marker is determined by the image processing unit 23 for R, G, B. Each color information is separated and output to the type determination unit 24 (step S
4).

In the type discriminating section 24, the image processing section 23
And the R, G, and B color information of the identification marker 21 (that is, the ink cartridge 1) input from the printer, and the R, G, and B for each type of ink cartridge stored in the color information table of the color information storage unit 25. The type of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is determined by sequentially comparing the respective color information with each other (step S5).

Here, the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is a monochrome ink cartridge 1a.
In this case, if the output levels of R, G, and B of the identification marker 21a input from the image processing unit 23 are, for example, 0.95, 0.95, and 0.95, the type determination unit At 24, first, the comparison reference level of the R signal of the monochrome ink cartridge 1a stored in the color information table is compared with the level of the R signal input from the image processing unit 23 (step S6). In this case, the level (0.95) of the input R signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.9 or more) of the R signal of the monochrome ink cartridge 1a in the color information table (Y in step S6).
Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S8, and the signal level to be compared is changed from R to G
And returns to step S6 again.

Then, in step S6, the monochrome ink cartridge 1 stored in the color information table is read.
The comparison reference level of the G signal a is compared with the level of the G signal input from the image processing unit 23. In this case, the level (0.95) of the input G signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.9 or more) of the G signal of the monochrome ink cartridge 1a in the color information table (step S6).
Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S8, changes the signal level to be compared from G to B, and returns to step S6 again.

Then, in step S6, the monochrome ink cartridge 1 stored in the color information table is read.
The comparison reference level of the B signal a is compared with the level of the B signal input from the image processing unit 23. In this case, the level (0.95) of the input B signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.9 or more) of the B signal of the monochrome ink cartridge 1a in the color information table (step S6).
Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S9, and the type determination unit 24 compares the type of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 in steps S6 to S8. It is determined that the cartridge is the monochrome ink cartridge 1a corresponding to the information of the target comparison reference level, and the determination signal is displayed on the display unit 26.
Output to The display unit 26 displays the determination result on the display unit 26 based on the determination signal (step S1).
0).

For example, when the display section 26 is composed of one LED, this LED is turned on. When the display unit 26 is composed of two LEDs, one of them is turned on. The display unit 26 has three Ls.
In the case of the ED, the LED corresponding to the monochrome ink cartridge 1a is turned on. When the display unit 26 is constituted by an LCD, "black" is displayed.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is the color ink cartridge 1b. In this case, the signal levels of R, G, and B of the identification marker 21b input from the image processing unit 23 are: For example, if the values are 0.95, 0.05, and 0.05, the type discriminating unit 24 performs the following discriminating operation in step S5 and subsequent steps.

That is, the type discriminating section 24 first compares the comparison reference level of the R signal of the monochrome ink cartridge 1a stored in the color information table with the level of the R signal input from the image processing section 23 ( Step S
6). In this case, the level of the input R signal (0.9
5) is the monochrome ink cartridge 1 of the color information table
Since it is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.9 or more) of the R signal of “a” (since it is determined to be Yes in step S6),
Next, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S8, changes the signal level to be compared from R to G, and returns to step S6 again.

Then, in step S6, the monochrome ink cartridge 1 stored in the color information table is read.
The comparison reference level of the G signal a is compared with the level of the G signal input from the image processing unit 23. In this case, the level of the G signal input from the image processing unit 23 is 0.05, and the monochrome ink cartridge 1 in the color information table is used.
Since the comparison reference level of the G signal of a is 0.9 or more,
The determination in step S6 is No, and the operation proceeds to step S11. That is, the type determining unit 24
Then, it is determined that the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is not the monochrome ink cartridge 1a, and the comparison reference level of the R signal of the color ink cartridge 1b stored in the color information table and the image processing unit The level is compared with the level of the R signal input from S23 (step S6). In this case, since the level (0.95) of the input R signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.9 or more) of the R signal of the color ink cartridge 1b in the color information table (Yes in Step S6) Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S8, the signal level to be compared is changed from R to G, and the process returns to step S6 again.

Then, in step S6, the color ink cartridge 1b stored in the color information table
Is compared with the level of the G signal input from the image processing unit 23. In this case, the level (0.05) of the input G signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.1 or less) of the G signal of the color ink cartridge 1b in the color information table (Y in step S6).
Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S8, and the signal level to be compared is changed from G to B
And returns to step S6 again.

Then, in step S6, the color ink cartridge 1b stored in the color information table
The comparison reference level of the B signal is compared with the level of the B signal input from the image processing unit 23. In this case, the level (0.05) of the input B signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.1 or less) of the B signal of the color ink cartridge 1b in the color information table (Y in step S6).
Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S9, and the type determination unit 24 determines whether the type of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is the comparison target in steps S6 to S8. Color ink cartridge 1 corresponding to the information of the comparison reference level
b, and outputs the determination signal to the display unit 26. The display unit 26 displays the display unit 26 based on the determination signal.
Is displayed (step S10).

For example, when the display unit 26 is composed of one LED, this LED blinks slowly. When the display unit 26 is composed of two LEDs, the other one is turned on. The display unit 2
When 6 is composed of three LEDs, the LED corresponding to the color ink cartridge 1b is turned on. When the display unit 26 is configured by an LCD,
Displays "Color".

On the other hand, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is the photo ink cartridge 1c. In this case, the R, G, and B signal levels of the identification marker 21c input from the image processing unit 23 are: For example, if the values are 0.05, 0.95, and 0.05, the type discriminating unit 24 performs the following discriminating operation in step S5 and subsequent steps.

That is, the type discriminating section 24 first compares the comparison reference level of the R signal of the monochrome ink cartridge 1a stored in the color information table with the level of the R signal input from the image processing section 23 ( Step S
6). In this case, the level of the R signal input from the image processing unit 23 is 0.05, and the comparison reference level of the R signal of the monochrome ink cartridge 1a in the color information table is 0.9 or more. The determination is No, and the operation proceeds to Step S11.

That is, the type discriminating section 24 determines that the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is not the monochrome ink cartridge 1a, and then determines the R signal of the color ink cartridge 1b stored in the color information table. Is compared with the level of the R signal input from the image processing unit 23 (step S
6). In this case, the level of the R signal input from the image processing unit 23 is 0.05, and the comparison reference level of the R signal of the color ink cartridge 1b in the color information table is 0.1.
Since it is 9 or more, the determination in step S6 is No, and the operation proceeds to step S11.

That is, the type discriminating section 24 judges that the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is not the color ink cartridge 1b, and then determines the photo ink cartridge 1 stored in the color information table.
The reference level of the R signal c is compared with the level of the R signal input from the image processing unit 23 (step S).
6). In this case, the level of the input R signal (0.0
5) Photo ink cartridge 1c of color information table
Is within the range of the comparison reference level (less than or equal to 0.1) of the R signal (because Yes is determined in step S6), the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S8, and the signal level to be compared is set to R To G, and then go back to step S
Return to 6.

Then, in step S6, the photo ink cartridge 1c stored in the color information table
Is compared with the level of the G signal input from the image processing unit 23. In this case, since the level (0.95) of the input G signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.9 or more) of the G signal of the photo ink cartridge 1c in the color information table (Y in step S6).
Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S8, and the signal level to be compared is changed from G to B
And returns to step S6 again.

Then, in step S6, the photo ink cartridge 1c stored in the color information table
The comparison reference level of the B signal is compared with the level of the B signal input from the image processing unit 23. In this case, since the level (0.05) of the input B signal is within the range of the comparison reference level (0.1 or less) of the B signal of the photo ink cartridge 1c in the color information table (Y in step S6).
Then, the operation proceeds from step S7 to step S9, and the type determination unit 24 determines whether the type of the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is the comparison target in steps S6 to S8. Photo ink cartridge 1 corresponding to the information of the comparison reference level
c is determined, and the determination signal is output to the display unit 26. The display unit 26 displays the display unit 26 based on the determination signal.
Is displayed (step S10).

For example, when the display unit 26 is composed of one LED, this LED flashes like a flash. When the display unit 26 is composed of two LEDs, both are turned on. When the display unit 26 includes three LEDs, the LED corresponding to the photo ink cartridge 1c is turned on. When the display unit 26 is configured by an LCD, “photo”
Is displayed.

If the determination in step S11 is Yes, the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the carriage 2 is replaced with any one of the ink cartridges of all types stored in the color information table of the color information storage unit 25. It is determined that the above does not apply, and an error is displayed (step S12). In this case, the display may be a passive display in which, for example, an LED is not turned on or blinked at all. In the case of LCD, for example, "error"
Is displayed.

In the above-described embodiment, the discriminating operation of the ink cartridge 1 is described as when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on. 1
(Eg, when the carriage 2 moves from the home position to the ink replacement position and returns to the home position again).
In addition, it is assumed that the determination processing operation after step S2 is executed.

In the above embodiment, the identification marker 2
Although the first color is described as the primary color of R, G, and B, it is obvious that an intermediate color such as gray or pink can be determined in the same manner as described above. However, in this case, it is natural that the numerical values stored in the color information table of the color information storage unit 25 are different numerical values corresponding thereto. Further, according to the present invention, the color of the identification marker 21 is determined based on the R, G, and B levels. is there.

[0046]

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the colors of the identification markers corresponding to the types of the ink cartridges are set to R, G, B.
And the type of the ink cartridge is determined.
It is possible to reliably determine which ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage, even if the type is more than one. Also, since the identification marker is imaged as a surface with a color solid-state image sensor, unlike the case where a conventional photosensor is used, even when small dust or the like adheres to the identification marker, the color of the identification marker is changed. It is possible to reliably determine. Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, a comparison standard in which each output level of R, G, and B has a certain allowable range when an identification marker of a reference ink cartridge is imaged in advance by a color solid-state imaging device. The level is compared with the output levels of R, G, and B when the identification marker of the ink cartridge to be determined is imaged by the color solid-state imaging device. Due to the color state of the identification marker (including hue difference and color fading, etc.), a change in the distance between the color solid-state imaging device and the identification marker, dust attached to the identification marker, and the like,
Even if the output levels of the G and B signals are slightly reduced,
The color of the identification marker can be correctly determined.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the type of the ink cartridge is displayed by a combination of blinking or lighting by one or a plurality of LEDs, so that three or more types of ink cartridges are displayed separately. can do. Further, according to the printing apparatus of the present invention, since the type of the ink cartridge is displayed by character display on the LCD, three or more types of ink cartridges can be clearly distinguished and displayed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a main part of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a mechanism portion of the printing apparatus of the present invention.

3 is a configuration diagram of a color information table stored in a color information storage unit 25. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an ink cartridge discrimination processing procedure in the printing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 1a Monochrome ink cartridge 1b Color ink cartridge 1c Photo ink cartridge 21 Identification marker 22 Color CCD (color solid-state imaging device) 23 Image processing unit 24 Type discrimination unit 25 Color information storage unit 26 Display unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus in which various ink cartridges can be exchangeably mounted. An identification marker provided in each of the ink cartridges and indicated by a unique color representing the type of the ink cartridge, and a color of the identification marker A color information storage unit that stores in advance as R, G, and B color information for each type of ink cartridge, a color imaging device that captures an identification marker of the ink cartridge attached to the printing apparatus main body, and a color imaging device. An image processing unit that separates the color of the captured identification marker into R, G, and B color information; and R, G, and B color information separated by the image processing unit and stored in the color information storage unit. A type discriminating unit for discriminating the type of the ink cartridge mounted on the printing apparatus main body based on the respective R, G, and B color information; Printing apparatus characterized by comprising a display section for displaying the type of the ink cartridge is determined by the kind discriminating unit. 2. The R, G, and B color information for each type of ink cartridge stored in the color information storage unit includes R, G, and B values when the identification marker of the corresponding ink cartridge is imaged by the color solid-state imaging device. G and B output levels are given as comparative reference level information having a certain allowable range. The type discriminating unit outputs R, R, and R when the color solid-state imaging device captures an identification marker of an ink cartridge.
The output levels of G and B are compared with the reference levels of R, G and B for each type of ink cartridge stored in the color information storage unit, and the output levels are within the respective reference levels. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in such a case, the ink cartridge is determined to be an ink cartridge corresponding to the comparison reference level information. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the type of the ink cartridge by a combination of blinking or lighting of one or more LEDs. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the type of the ink cartridge by character display on an LCD.