JP2001187455A - Ink container and printing device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink container capable of certainly rewriting data such as an ink residual amount even in the case an inexpensive memory element to be mounted on the ink container is used, and a printing device using the ink container. SOLUTION: In an ink-jet printer 1, a low cost is achieved by using an inexpensive EEPROM for executing only the sequential access as a memory element 80 mounted on ink cartridges 107K, 107F. Moreover, in a memory cell 81 of the memory element 80, a first memory region for rewriting the ink residual amount in the ink cartridges 107K, 107F is provided so as to be accessed prior to a second memory region for storing the data only to be read out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device (inkjet printing device) used as an ink jet printer or an ink jet plotter, and to an ink container detachable from a main body of the ink jet printing device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a processing technique for storing ink amount information in an ink container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink-jet printing apparatus used as an ink-jet printer or an ink-jet plotter is generally constituted by an ink container (ink cartridge) containing ink and a printing apparatus main body having a print head for executing printing on a medium. I have. The print head realizes printing on a medium by attaching ink supplied from an ink container to a medium such as printing paper. The ink container is formed detachably with respect to the printing apparatus main body. The ink container initially contains a predetermined amount of ink, and when the stored ink becomes empty, the ink container is replaced with a new one. Then, in order to avoid interruption of printing during the printing process, this type of ink jet printing apparatus calculates the remaining amount of ink in the ink container on the printing apparatus main body side based on the amount of ink discharged from the print head, and prints the remaining ink. It is configured to notify when the amount is low.

Further, there has been proposed an ink container having a storage element for storing ink information such as an ink type and an ink amount in the ink container. Since the ink container holds the ink information, the printing apparatus to which the ink container is attached reads out the stored ink information,
A printing process suitable for the used ink can be executed.

[0004]

However, when the ink container can hold only read-only information,
There is a problem that it is not possible to realize more appropriate printing processing in consideration of information on the use state of the ink container, that is, ink-related information and the like. Also, when ink-related information can be written into the ink container, writing may be incompletely completed due to interruption of the writing process, but no consideration is given to such a case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink container, a printing apparatus using the ink container, and an ink container capable of rapidly and reliably storing information on the ink container such as the remaining amount of ink while reducing the cost of the ink container. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device provided in a container and a method of writing information on an ink container to the ink container.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions / Effects According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container mounted on a printing apparatus. The ink container includes an ink storage unit that stores printing ink, and a storage unit that reads and writes and nonvolatilely stores predetermined information including at least a plurality of pieces of information related to the amount of ink in the ink storage unit, The storage unit may include an ink amount information storage area that is an area that is first written by the printing apparatus and stores information related to the ink amount.

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention reduces the cost of the ink container by providing an area initially written by the printing apparatus as an ink amount information storage area for storing information relating to the ink amount. In addition, information on the ink container such as the remaining ink amount can be stored quickly and reliably. The area to be written first is, for example, the head area of the storage unit, or the area of the storage unit, which is the area that is first written by the printing apparatus.

[0008] In the first aspect of the present invention, the ink storage section has storage chambers of a number corresponding to the type of the printing ink, and the ink amount information storage area stores the number of storage chambers corresponding to the type of the printing ink. It may have an appropriate storage capacity. Also,
The ink amount information storage area may have a capacity of at least 3 bytes. Further, the ink amount information storage area may be an area to be written when the ink container is replaced or when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off.

With this configuration, the ink amount information storage area can sufficiently store predetermined information including the ink amount information. Further, the ink amount information storage area is written at a time when the ink container is replaced or a time when the ink container is likely to be replaced, so that the ink amount information is reliably stored in the ink container.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the ink storage section has at least three storage chambers for storing at least three different color inks, and the ink amount information storage area stores the ink amount in each of the storage chambers. May have a plurality of information storage areas for independently storing information related to the information storage device, and each of the plurality of information storage areas may be assigned a capacity of 1 byte or more. Further, the ink amount information storage area has a capacity of at least 5 bytes, the ink storage section has five or more storage chambers for storing at least five different colors of ink, and the ink amount information storage area is It may have a plurality of information storage areas for independently storing information relating to the amount of ink in each storage chamber, and each of the plurality of information storage areas may be assigned a 1-byte capacity.

With such a configuration, the ink amount information can be stored optimally according to the type of ink.

The five color inks include three dark colors and two light colors corresponding to two of the three dark colors.
The ink amount information storage area has the information storage area for storing the ink information corresponding to the three dark colors in an area first written by the printing apparatus, and then stores the ink information corresponding to the two light colors. The information storage area for storing information may be provided. Further, the three dark colors of ink are cyan, magenta and yellow, respectively.
The two light colors may be light cyan and light magenta, respectively.

With such a configuration, the same storage unit can be used both when the ink container has only three dark colors and when it has three dark colors and two light colors.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the information storage area may be an area to which data is written when the ink container is replaced or when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off. The storage unit may be a storage unit that is sequentially accessed in synchronization with a clock signal. The storage unit has a plurality of storage areas, and the ink amount information storage area may be a storage area arranged at a head position among the plurality of storage areas of the storage unit. The unit may have a plurality of storage areas, and the ink amount information storage area may be a storage area located at the end position among the plurality of storage areas of the storage unit.

With this configuration, the ink amount information storage area is written when the ink container is replaced or when there is a high possibility that the ink container will be replaced. The information is stored reliably. Further, when the storage unit has a structure that is sequentially accessed, since the storage unit is sequentially accessed from the head position or the end position, by providing such an arrangement structure, the cost of the ink container can be reduced. In addition, information on the ink container such as the remaining amount of ink can be stored quickly and reliably.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the information relating to the amount of ink may be a remaining amount of ink or a cumulative amount of ink consumed for the ink container.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container mounted on a printing apparatus. The ink container includes an ink storage unit that stores printing ink, and a storage unit that is readable and writable and nonvolatilely stores predetermined information including at least information related to the amount of ink in the ink storage unit. The unit is sequentially accessed in synchronization with a clock signal, and has a first storage area for storing read-only information and a first storage area arranged before the first storage area and for storing rewrite information. 2
Storage area.

As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the second storage area arranged before the first storage area is used as the ink amount information storage area for storing the information related to the ink amount. Therefore, information on the ink container such as the remaining ink amount can be stored quickly and reliably while reducing the cost of the ink container.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the information stored in the second storage area includes the ink in the ink storage unit calculated by the printing apparatus based on the ink consumption accompanying printing. The remaining amount information may be included. Further, as the ink storage unit, a plurality of ink storage units that respectively store a plurality of color inks,
The information stored in the second storage area may include remaining ink information for each of the ink storage units calculated by the printing apparatus.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the information stored in the second storage area includes ink consumption information in the ink storage section calculated based on ink consumption accompanying printing. May be included. Further, the ink consumption information may have a value in a range of 0 to 90% as an initial value.

As described above, since the inexpensive storage unit which only performs sequential access is used as the storage element mounted on the ink container, the ink container can be provided at a cost suitable for the nature of consumables. Further, the second storage area in which rewriting is performed in the storage section is configured to be accessed or arranged earlier than the first storage area in which read-only data is stored. Rewriting can be completed in a short time. Therefore, even when the data is rewritten in the second storage area after the power switch is turned off, the data rewriting can be completed before the plug is unplugged from the outlet. Therefore, even if the cost of the ink container is reduced by using an inexpensive storage unit that performs only sequential access, there is an advantage that a data rewriting abnormality does not easily occur.

Furthermore, since the initial value of the ink consumption information has a value of 0 to 90%, it is determined whether or not the ink has been used, and whether or not the ink holding amount is indicated on the basis of correction at the time of use. Can be reliably detected.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the second storage area may include two or more storage areas in which information on the latest ink remaining amount is sequentially rewritten. The information stored in the second storage area includes the time elapsed since opening the ink container measured on the printing apparatus main body side, and the time of the ink container measured on the printing apparatus main body side. At least one type of information on the number of times of attachment / detachment to / from the printing apparatus main body may be included. Further, the first
The information stored in the storage area may include at least one type of information among the date of manufacture of the ink container, the type of ink stored in the ink container, and the ink storage capacity of the ink container.

With such a configuration, even if the plug is unplugged from the outlet while the data of the latest ink remaining amount is being rewritten, the data cannot be rewritten normally. In other areas, the data that has been rewritten last time is always stored. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the current data rewriting, the monitoring of the ink remaining amount can be continued based on the previously rewritten data.

In the first or second embodiment of the present invention,
The storage unit may be an EEPROM. Further, the storage unit may have format information on items of information stored therein, and the format information may be arranged in a head area of the storage unit.

By providing such a configuration, necessary information can be accessed based on the format information, and a predetermined area can be accessed in a short time regardless of the storage capacity. Further, an area optimal for each type of ink cartridge can be constructed based on the format information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of writing predetermined information into an ink container which is mounted on a printing apparatus and has a storage element. The method generates a plurality of the predetermined information including information related to an amount of ink in an ink container to be written to the storage element in the printing device,
Information related to the ink amount among the plurality of pieces of the generated predetermined information is written to the storage element first.

As described above, the third aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which information relating to the amount of ink is first written to the storage element, so that the cost of the ink container can be reduced and the amount of ink remaining can be reduced. Information about the ink container can be stored quickly and reliably.

In the third aspect according to the present invention, the writing of the information relating to the ink amount can be executed when the ink container is replaced and when the power is turned off. Furthermore, the capacity according to the type of the printing ink from the top arranges the plurality of pieces of predetermined information so as to indicate the ink amount information, and the writing of the predetermined information is performed by storing the predetermined information in the storage element in the storage element. Can be written to.

With this configuration, it is possible to write the ink amount information at a time when there is a high possibility that the ink container will be replaced. Therefore, the ink amount information is reliably stored in the ink container (storage element). You. In addition, predetermined information is arranged from the beginning to the amount corresponding to the type of the printing ink so as to indicate the ink amount information, and writing to the storage element is executed in the arrangement order, so that the ink amount information can be quickly stored. , Can be reliably written to the storage element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the plurality of pieces of predetermined information are arranged so that at least three bytes from the head indicate ink amount information for at least three different colors of ink. Can write the predetermined information into the storage element according to the arrangement order. Still further, the plurality of pieces of predetermined information are arranged so that at least 5 bytes from the top indicate ink amount information of at least five different colors of ink,
In the writing of the predetermined information, the predetermined information can be written to the storage element according to the arrangement order.

The five inks have three dark colors and two light colors corresponding to two of the three dark colors.
In the arrangement of the predetermined information, the ink amount information corresponding to the three dark colors can be arranged first, and then the ink amount information corresponding to the two light colors can be arranged. The dark color 3
The color inks may be cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, and the two light colors may be light cyan and light magenta, respectively.

[0033] In a third aspect according to the present invention, the writing of the predetermined information can be executed in a sequential access format. Further, the information relating to the ink amount may be an accumulated ink consumption amount of the ink container,
Alternatively, the information related to the ink amount may be the remaining ink amount of the ink container.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus to which any one of the ink containers according to the first aspect is mounted. The printing device includes a storage device that stores a plurality of pieces of predetermined information including information related to the amount of ink in the ink container, and information related to the amount of ink among the predetermined information, the amount of ink on the ink container side. A writing device for writing to the information storage area.

As described above, the fourth aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which the information relating to the ink amount is written in the ink amount information storage area on the ink container side. Information about the ink container such as the amount can be stored quickly and reliably.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink container accommodating ink and detachably attached to a printing apparatus main body.
Provided is an inkjet printing apparatus having a printing apparatus main body that performs printing on a medium by discharging ink contained in the ink container from a print head toward a medium. In the inkjet printing apparatus, the ink container has a sequential access type including a storage unit and an address counter that counts up or down based on a clock signal when reading and writing between the storage unit and the printing device main body. A first storage area for storing read-only data, which is read only from the printing apparatus main body, as the storage section; A second storage area for storing rewrite data that is read and written to and from the printing apparatus main body in a previously accessed area, the inkjet printing apparatus stores data to be read and written in response to a clock signal. It is characterized by comprising means for inputting and outputting.

In the fifth aspect according to the present invention, since the inexpensive storage means only performing sequential access is used as the storage element mounted on the ink container, the ink container can be manufactured at a cost suitable for the nature of consumables. Can be provided. Also, the second rewriting is performed in the storage means.
Is configured to be accessed earlier than the first storage area in which read-only data is stored, so that rewriting can be completed in a short time. Therefore, even when the data is rewritten in the second storage area after the power switch is turned off, the data rewriting can be completed before the plug is unplugged from the outlet. Therefore, even if the cost of the ink container is reduced by using an inexpensive storage unit that performs only sequential access, there is an advantage that a data rewriting abnormality does not easily occur.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the data stored in the second storage area includes the ink container calculated on the printing apparatus main body side based on the ink consumption of the print head. Ink remaining amount data may be included. The ink container includes a plurality of ink storage units each storing a plurality of color inks, and the data stored in the second storage area includes the ink storage calculated by the printing apparatus main body. The remaining ink data for each copy may be included.

In the fifth aspect according to the present invention, the second storage area may include two or more storage areas in which data of the latest ink remaining amount is sequentially rewritten. Also,
The ink remaining amount data can be rewritten after the power switch of the printing apparatus main body is turned off. Further, the data stored in the second storage area includes the elapsed time after opening the ink container measured on the printing apparatus main body side, and the ink container measured on the printing apparatus main body side. At least one type of the number of times of attachment and detachment to the printing apparatus main body. Still further, the data stored in the first storage area includes:
The date of manufacture of the ink container, the type of ink stored in the ink container, and the data of at least one of the ink storage capacity of the ink container may be included. Further, the storage means may be an EEPROM.

In the fifth aspect according to the present invention, since the rewriting of the ink remaining amount data is updated after a series of printing is completed, it is preferable that the rewriting is performed when the power switch is turned off. If the plug is unplugged from the outlet and the data is destroyed, the remaining ink level cannot be monitored thereafter. However, in the present invention, since the arrangement of the storage areas in the printing means is optimized, the data rewriting can be completed before the plug is unplugged from the outlet, and the data rewriting abnormality does not easily occur.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the ink container has a plurality of ink storage sections each storing a plurality of color inks, and the data stored in the second storage area includes It is preferable that the remaining amount data of the ink for each ink storage unit calculated on the printing apparatus main body side is included. Monitoring the remaining ink amount for each color in this manner has the advantage that the ink out of a specific color can be immediately determined.

In the fifth aspect according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second storage area includes two or more storage areas in which data of the latest ink remaining amount is sequentially rewritten. With this configuration, even if the plug is unplugged during the data rewriting of the latest ink remaining amount and the data rewriting is not performed normally due to a trouble during the data rewriting, Is
The data that has been rewritten last time is always stored. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the current data rewriting, the monitoring of the ink remaining amount can be continued based on the previously rewritten data.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage device provided in an ink container mounted on a printing apparatus.
The storage device includes an address counter that outputs a count value based on a clock signal output from the printing device, a non-volatile memory that is sequentially accessed based on the output count value, and is capable of reading and writing a plurality of pieces of predetermined information. And a storage element having a plurality of storage areas for temporarily storing.

Thus, the sixth aspect according to the present invention provides
Since an inexpensive storage element that performs only sequential access is used, an ink container can be provided at a cost suitable for the nature of consumables.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the storage area includes a first storage area for storing read-only predetermined information, and a first storage area which is disposed before the first storage area and which is provided in the ink container. And a second storage area for storing information related to the amount of ink. In addition, an ink amount information storage area for storing information related to the amount of ink in the ink container may be provided at a position where writing is first performed by the printing apparatus. With this configuration, information on the ink container such as the remaining ink amount can be stored quickly and reliably.

Further, the storage unit may have format information on items of information stored therein. Further, the format information may be arranged in a head area of the storage unit. Still further, the storage device may be an EEPRO.
M. With this configuration, it is possible to access necessary information based on the format information, and it is possible to access a predetermined area in a short time regardless of the storage capacity. Further, it is possible to construct an optimum area for the square ink cartridge by using the format information.

A seventh aspect according to the present invention relates to an ink container. The ink container includes an ink storage unit that stores the printing ink, and an address counter that outputs a count value based on an input clock signal, and is sequentially accessed based on the output count value. And a storage element that stores a plurality of pieces of predetermined information in a readable and writable and non-volatile manner, and updates information related to the ink in the ink storage unit using a default value of the count value in the storage element. The point is that the information is stored in the area that is read first.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the information updated in relation to the ink in the ink storage section is stored in the area accessed first using the default value of the count value of the address count. Therefore, access can be performed at high speed. It should be noted that a value in the range of 0 to a predetermined value can be stored as the initial value of the ink consumption. If the value to be stored is 0, it is a so-called full state, and when the value reaches the maximum value, the ink storage unit is empty. For example, when designing a half-bottle of a normal ink container as a capacity of the ink container in the ink container, a value of about half of the maximum value may be stored as an initial value. The capacity of the container can be freely designed. In this case, the value 0 or the maximum value may correspond to the binary number 00-FF using one bit of the prepared storage element,
You may make it correspond to 0-100 of a decimal number. Two or more bytes may be used to increase accuracy. Of course, any value may be used as long as it corresponds to the value 0 or the maximum value. Further, the predetermined value may be a value larger than 0 and corresponding to about 90%, corresponding to the value 0 to the maximum value. The reason for setting the value up to about 90% is that a predetermined amount of ink may be used due to a so-called cleaning operation or the like. This is because an instruction may be issued. Of course, if there is no such restriction, a value of 90% or more can be written.

[0049]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on some preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in the following order. First Embodiment (Overall Configuration of Inkjet Printing Apparatus) (Configuration of Ink Cartridge and Cartridge Mounting Section) (Configuration of Storage Element 80) (Operation of Inkjet Printer 1) (Effects of First Embodiment) [Second Embodiment] Example] (Data structure of storage elements 1080 and 1082) (Description of control IC 200) (Write processing for storage elements 1080 and 1082) (Effect of second embodiment) [Other embodiments]

First Embodiment (Overall Configuration of Inkjet Printing Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an inkjet printer (printing apparatus) to which the present invention is applied, which is used in each of the following embodiments. FIG.
In this embodiment, the printer 1 of this embodiment is used while being connected to a computer PC together with the scanner SC and the like. When the operating system and a predetermined program are loaded and executed on the computer PC, the entirety of these devices integrally functions as a printing device. In the computer PC, an application program operates on a predetermined operating system, and displays an image on the CRT display MT while performing predetermined processing on an image read from the scanner SC.
When the user instructs printing after performing a process such as retouching an image on the display MT, a printer driver incorporated in the operating system starts up and transfers image data to the printer 1.

The printer driver converts original color image data input and processed by the scanner SC into data of each color used by the printer 1, and outputs the data to the printer 1. More specifically, the original color image data is composed of three color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and conversion to each color of yellow (Y). Perform processing and the like. Since these image processes are well known, detailed description will be omitted. Note that such processing can be performed on the printer 1 side as described later.

The carriage 101 is mounted on the timing belt 1
02, the carriage motor 1 of the carriage mechanism 12
The printing paper 105 (medium) is reciprocated in the paper width direction while being guided by the guide member 104. The inkjet printer 1 also has a paper feed mechanism 11 using a paper feed roller 106. An ink jet print head 10 is attached to a surface of the carriage 101 facing the printing paper 105, in the example shown in FIG. The print head 10 receives ink supply from the ink cartridges 107K and 107F (ink containers) held on the carriage 101, and forms dots by ejecting ink droplets on the printing paper 105 as the carriage 101 moves. Then, an image or a character is printed on the printing paper 105.

The ink storage chamber 117K of the ink cartridge 107K is filled with black (K) ink.
The ink cartridge 107F includes a plurality of ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM,
107Y are formed independently of each other. These ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107
LM and 107Y include cyan (C) and light cyan (L
C), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) inks, respectively. Accordingly, the print head 10 stores the ink of each color in the ink storage chambers 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM,
7Y. Each of these inks is ejected from the print head 10 as an ink droplet of each color to realize color printing.

In the non-printing area (non-storage area) of the ink jet printer 1, a capping device 108 is arranged to seal the nozzle opening of the print head 10 during the pause of the printing process. With the capping device 108, it is possible to suppress an increase in the ink viscosity or the formation of an ink film due to the evaporation of the solvent component of the ink during the suspension of the printing process. Therefore, clogging of the nozzles during the suspension of the printing process can be prevented. Further, the capping device 108 receives ink droplets from the print head 10 due to a flushing operation performed during the execution of the printing process. A wiping device 109 is disposed near the capping device 108. The wiping device 109 wipes the ink residue and paper dust attached to the surface of the print head 10 by wiping the surface of the print head 10 with a blade or the like.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the ink jet printer 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, in the inkjet printer 1, a printer main body 100 (printing apparatus main body) includes a print controller 40 and a print engine 5.
It is composed of The print controller 40
An interface 43 for receiving print data including multi-value gradation information from a computer, and a RAM 44 for storing various data such as print data including multi-value gradation information
A ROM 45 storing routines for performing various data processing; a control unit 46 including a CPU; an oscillation circuit 47; a drive signal generation circuit 48 for generating a drive signal COM to the print head 10; A parallel input / output interface 49 is provided for performing functions such as transmitting print data and drive signals developed into pattern data to the print engine 5.

The control line of the panel switch 92 and the power supply 91 is also connected to the print controller 40 via the parallel input / output interface 49. When power off is input by the panel switch 92, the print controller 40 outputs a power down command (NMI) to the power supply 91, and the power supply 91 enters a standby state. In this standby state, the power supply 91 supplies standby power to the print controller 40 via a power supply line (not shown).
That is, the power supply to the print controller 40 is not completely shut off by a normal power-off operation performed via the panel switch 92.

Further, the print controller 40 monitors whether or not predetermined power is supplied from the power supply 91, and issues a power down command (NMI) even when the power plug is unplugged from the outlet. The power supply 91 remains in the power supply 91 for a predetermined time (for example, 0.
(3 seconds), a compensating power supply (eg, a capacitor) is provided.

Further, the print controller 40 includes:
EEPR that stores information on the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F mounted on the carriage 101 (see FIG. 1).
An OM90 is also installed.
The ROM 90 stores predetermined information such as information relating to the amount of ink (the remaining amount of ink or the amount of consumed ink) in the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F. Further, the print controller 40 has a storage element 80 (described later) that the control unit 46 desires to access (read / write).
Is provided with an address decoder 95 for converting the address of the memory cell 81 (to be described later) into a clock number.

In the ink jet printer 1, the amount of ink discharged can be calculated by multiplying the weight of the ink droplets discharged from the nozzle openings 23 by the number of times of discharge of the ink droplets. The remaining amount of the ink is determined by the amount of ink discharged and the pump mechanism connected to the capping device 108 by closing the nozzle opening by pressing the capping device 108 against the print head 10 when an abnormality occurs due to air bubbles in the print head 10. (Not shown), it is possible to calculate the ink consumption based on the ink suction amount consumed when the ink is sucked and returned by suction from the remaining ink amount before the start of the printing operation. Such calculation of the remaining amount of ink is performed by EEPRO
The control unit 46 performs the operation based on a program stored in advance in the ROM 45 or the like while using data or the like stored in the M90.

Although the printer 1 of the embodiment receives the binarized data as described above, the arrangement of this data does not match the actual arrangement of the nozzles of the print head 10. Thus, the control unit 46 divides the inside of the RAM 44 into a reception buffer 44A, an intermediate buffer 44B, and an output buffer 44C, and performs a process of rearranging the arrangement of dot data. It should be noted that control for performing color conversion and binarization processing on the printer 1 side is also possible. In such a case, the printer 1 holds the print data including the multi-value gradation information sent from the computer PC or the like in the reception buffer 44A inside the printing apparatus via the interface 43, and performs the following processing. The print data held in the receiving buffer 44A is sent to the intermediate buffer 44B after the command analysis. In the intermediate buffer 44B,
The control unit 46 holds the print data as the intermediate format converted into the intermediate code, and the control unit 46 executes a process of adding the print position, decoration type, size, font address, etc. of each character. . Next, the control unit 4
Numeral 6 analyzes the print data in the intermediate buffer 44B and develops and stores in the output buffer 44C the binarized dot pattern data obtained by decoding the gradation data.

In any case, when dot pattern data corresponding to one scan of the print head 10 is obtained, the dot pattern data is serially transferred to the print head 10 via the parallel input / output interface 49. When dot pattern data corresponding to one scan is output from the output buffer 44C, the contents of the intermediate buffer 44B are deleted, and the next conversion process is performed.

The print engine 5 includes a print head 10
And the paper feed mechanism 11 and the carriage mechanism 1
2 is provided. The paper feed mechanism 11 sequentially sends out print media such as printing paper to perform sub-scanning, and the carriage mechanism 12 causes the print head 10 to perform main scanning.

The print head 10 ejects ink droplets from each nozzle opening toward the print medium at a predetermined timing in order to form the generated dot pattern data on the print medium. The drive signal COM generated by the drive signal generation circuit 48 is output to the element drive circuit 50 of the print head 10 via the parallel input / output interface 49.
Here, the pressure generating chambers 32 and the piezoelectric vibrators 17 (pressure generating elements) communicating with the nozzle openings 23 are formed in the print head 10 by the number of the nozzle openings 23. The drive signal CO is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator 17.
When M is given, the pressure generating chamber 32 contracts, and an ink droplet is ejected from the nozzle opening 23.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a layout of nozzle openings formed in the print head. As shown in FIG. 3, the nozzles 23 corresponding to black (K), cyan (C), light cyan (LC), magenta (M), light magenta (LM), and yellow (Y) are provided in the print head 10.
Are arranged in a row for each color.

(Configuration of Ink Cartridge and Cartridge Mounting Section) In the ink jet printer 1 thus configured, the ink cartridges 107K, 107
The basic structure of F is common. Therefore, FIGS. 4 and 5
The structure of the ink cartridge 107K and the structure for mounting this cartridge in the printer main body 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the schematic structure of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion of the printer main body 100. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge, the internal structure of the cartridge mounting portion on the carriage 101, and how the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

In FIG. 4, the ink cartridge 107
K includes a cartridge body 171 made of a synthetic resin which forms an ink containing section 117K for containing ink therein, and a storage element 80 (storage means) built in a side frame section 172 of the cartridge body 171. . The storage element 80 stores the ink cartridge 107K in the printer main body 1.
When the cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 18 of the “00”, various kinds of data are exchanged with the printer main body 100. Since the storage element 80 is mounted in the concave portion 173 whose lower side is open with respect to the side frame portion 172 of the ink cartridge 107K, only the plurality of connection terminals 174 are exposed.

On the other hand, in the cartridge mounting section 18, a needle 181 is arranged upward at the bottom 187 of the space in which the ink cartridge 107K is mounted. This needle 1
The periphery of 81 is a concave portion 183 for receiving the ink supply section 175 formed in the ink cartridge 107K. Three cartridge guides 182 are formed on the inner wall of the concave portion 183. A connector 186 is disposed on the inner wall 184 of the cartridge mounting section 18.
A plurality of electrodes 185 to which the plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 are electrically connected when the ink cartridge 107K is mounted on the storage device 80 are formed.

Next, the procedure for mounting the ink cartridge 107K on the cartridge mounting section 18 will be described.
First, the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 18.
07K is arranged. Rear wall 1 of cartridge mounting section 18
A fixed lever 192 is attached to the ink cartridge 88 via a support shaft 191. When the fixed lever 192 is tilted so as to cover the ink cartridge 107K, the ink cartridge 107K is pushed downward, and the ink supply unit 175 is recessed. And the needle 181 is connected to the ink supply unit 1.
The ink can be supplied by piercing the ink 75. Further, when the fixing lever 192 is lowered, the locking portion 193 formed at the tip of the fixing lever 192 engages with the engaging member 189 formed on the cartridge mounting portion 18, and the ink cartridge 1
07K is fixed. In this state, the plurality of connection terminals 174 of the storage element 80 of the ink cartridge 107K and the plurality of electrodes 185 of the cartridge mounting section 18 are electrically connected to each other, so that data can be exchanged between the printer main body 100 and the storage element 80. Becomes possible.

The structure of the ink cartridge 107K is basically the same as that of the color ink cartridge 107F, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, in the color ink cartridge 107F, it is necessary that the inks for the five colors are filled in the respective ink storage chambers, and that these inks are supplied to the print head 10 along different paths. Therefore, in the color ink cartridge 107F, the ink supply units 175 are formed for the number of ink colors. The ink cartridge 107
In F, ink for five colors is stored, but only one storage element 80 is stored therein. The information of the ink cartridge 107F and the information of ink of each color are stored in this one storage element 80. Are collectively stored.

(Structure of Storage Element 80) FIG. 6 shows an ink cartridge 1 used in the ink jet printer of this embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the storage element 80 built in 07K, 107F. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of a storage element built in the black ink cartridge 107K used in the ink jet printer of this embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of a storage element built in the color ink cartridge 107F. FIG. 9 shows the printer body 1
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of an internal EEPROM at 00.

In each of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, an ink storage section for storing ink is formed, and a storage element 80 is incorporated. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6, a memory cell 81, a read / write control unit 82 for controlling reading and writing of data in the memory cell 81, and a printer via a read / write control unit 82 based on a clock signal CLK. An EEPROM having an address counter 83 for counting up when reading and writing data between the main body 100 and the memory cell 81 is used.

As shown in FIG. 7, the memory cell 81 of the storage element 80 provided in the black ink cartridge 107K stores a first storage area 750 for storing read-only data and a rewritable data. And a second storage area 760 to be used. The printer body 100
Only the data stored in the first storage area 750 can be read, and both the reading and the writing can be performed on the data stored in the second storage area 760. The second storage area 760 is located at an address accessed earlier than the first storage area 750 at the time of access. That is, the second storage area 760 is located at a lower address than the first storage area 750. In this embodiment, “low address” means “top address”.

Here, the rewritable data stored in the second storage area 760 is the first black ink remaining allocated to each of the storage areas 701 and 702 in the order of first access. These are the amount data and the second black ink remaining amount data. The reason why the black ink remaining amount data is allocated to the two storage areas 701 and 702 is that data is rewritten alternately in these areas. Therefore, if the last rewritten black ink remaining amount data is data stored in the storage area 701, the black ink remaining amount data stored in the storage area 702 is the data immediately before that, and Is rewritten to the storage area 702.

On the other hand, the read-only data stored in the first storage area 750 includes the opening of the ink cartridge 107K assigned to each of the storage areas 711 to 720 in the order of access first. Time data (year), opening time data (month) of the ink cartridge 107K, version data of the ink cartridge 107K, ink type data such as pigment-based or dye-based, manufacturing year data of the ink cartridge 107K,
Ink cartridge 107K production month data, ink cartridge 107K production date data, ink cartridge 107K production line data, ink cartridge 1
07K serial number data and recycle presence / absence data indicating whether the ink cartridge 107K is new or recycled.

The memory cell 81 of the storage element 80 provided in the color ink cartridge 107F is also shown in FIG.
, A first storage area 650 for storing read-only data, and a second storage area 650 for storing rewritable data.
Storage area 660. Printer body 100
Can read only data stored in the first storage area 650, and can read data from the second storage area 66.
Both reading and writing can be performed on data stored in 0. The second storage area 660 is
It is located at an address accessed before the first storage area 650 at the time of access. That is, the second storage area 660 is located at a lower address than the first storage area 650.

Here, the rewritable data stored in the second storage area 660 is the first cyan ink remaining allocated to each of the storage areas 601 to 610 in the order of first access. Amount data, second cyan ink remaining amount data, first magenta ink remaining amount data, second magenta ink remaining amount data, first yellow ink remaining amount data, second yellow ink remaining amount data,
These are first light cyan ink remaining amount data, second light cyan ink remaining amount data, first light magenta ink remaining amount data, and second light magenta ink remaining amount data. The reason why the ink remaining amount data of each color is allocated to the two storage areas is that the black ink cartridge 107K is used.
This is because data rewriting is performed alternately on these areas in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, the read-only data stored in the first storage area 650 is stored in each of the storage areas 611 to 620 in the order of first access similarly to the black ink cartridge 107K. Opening time data (year) of the ink cartridge 107F assigned by
Opening time data (month) of the ink cartridge 107F,
Ink cartridge 107F version data, ink type data, manufacturing year data, manufacturing month data, manufacturing date data, manufacturing line data, serial number data,
Recycling data. Since these data are common regardless of the color, only one type is stored as common data between the colors.

All of these data are read out by the printer main body 100 when the power of the printer main body 100 is turned on after the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are mounted on the printer main body 100, and are read out by the printer main body 100. Is stored in the built-in EEPROM 90. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
The 90 storage areas 801 to 835 can store all data stored in each storage element 80, such as the remaining amount of ink in the black ink cartridge 107K and the color ink cartridge 107F.

(Operation of Inkjet Printer 1) Next, a basic operation executed by the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment from power-on to power-off will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing executed when the power is turned on. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process executed to calculate the remaining ink amount. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing executed until the power is turned off in the inkjet printer 1 of the present embodiment. FIGS. 13A and 13B are flowcharts showing processing when the remaining amount of ink is written from the printer main body 100 to the storage element 80 built in the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, respectively, in the ink jet printer 1 of this embodiment. It is a timing chart at the time of performing a process.

Referring to FIG. 10, after the power is turned on, the control unit 4
6 will be described.
When the power of the inkjet printer 1 is turned on, the control unit 46 determines whether or not the ink cartridges 107K and 107F have been replaced (step S30). This determination is made, for example, by referring to the ink cartridge replacement flag when the EEPROM 90 has the ink cartridge replacement flag, or by checking each ink cartridge 107K,
It can be executed by determining whether or not the ink cartridges 107K and 107F have been replaced based on the manufacturing time data and the manufacturing serial of the 107F. If the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are not replaced and the power is simply turned on (step S30: N
o), the stored data is read from each storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F (step S31).

On the other hand, the ink cartridge 107
If it is determined that K and 107F have been replaced (Step S30: Yes), the control unit 46 increments the number of attachments by one and increments the ink cartridges 107K and 107F.
F is written to each storage element 80 (step S32). Then, the control unit 46 controls the ink cartridges 107K,
The stored data is read from each storage element 80 of 07F (step S31). Subsequently, the control unit 46 writes each read data to a predetermined address of the EEPROM 90 or the RAM 44 (step S3).
3). The control unit 46 controls the attached ink cartridge 107 based on the data stored in the EEPROM 90.
It is determined whether K and 107F are suitable for the inkjet printer 1 (step S34). If they match (step S34: Yes), the printing process is permitted (step S35), and the printing preparation is completed (this processing routine ends). On the other hand, if they do not match (step S34: N
o), a message indicating that the printing process is not permitted and the printing process cannot be performed is displayed on the panel switch 92 or on the display (step S36).

Then, the ink jet printer 1 performs a predetermined printing operation. At this time, the control unit 46 executes a process for calculating the remaining ink amount. FIG. 1 shows such processing.
This will be described with reference to FIG. When the printing process is started, the remaining ink amount calculation process routine is started. The control unit 46 determines whether the printing process is being executed (step S4).
0). If the printing process is being executed, the process waits until the printing process is completed (step S40: Yes). On the other hand, when the printing process is not being executed (step S40: No),
The amount of ink consumed in connection with the printing process is calculated (step S41). The calculation of the ink consumption is performed by, for example, multiplying the weight of the ink droplet and the number of times of ink droplet ejection, thereby calculating the ink ejection amount for each color, and calculating the calculated ink ejection amount and the ink consumption by the suction operation. This is performed by adding the calculated ink suction amount. Subsequently, the control unit 46 reads out the remaining ink amount data stored in the EEPROM 90 (step S42). Then, the control unit 46 calculates the latest ink remaining amount by subtracting the calculated ink consumption amount from the read ink remaining amount (step S43). The control unit 46 uses the calculated latest ink remaining amount as the ink remaining amount data as the EEPROM 9
0 (step S44), and this processing routine ends.

Here, the newly calculated remaining amount of ink is written in each storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F after the power switch is turned off with the panel switch 92 of the ink jet printer 1.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, when the power switch is turned off at the panel switch 92 of the ink jet printer 1, it is first determined at step ST11 whether the ink jet printer 1 is on standby (step ST11). . If not waiting (step ST11: NO), the ongoing sequence is terminated (step ST12), and the process returns to step ST11.
On the other hand, when the inkjet printer 1 is on standby (step ST11: YES), the print head 10
(Step ST13), the driving conditions of the print head 10, for example, the voltage value of the driving waveform,
Information contents such as a color ID for performing color correction for each color are stored (step ST14). Subsequently, the timer value is stored (step ST15), and the content of the control panel, for example, the adjustment value for bidirectional printing is stored (step ST16). Next, the remaining ink amount stored in the EEPROM 90 is stored in the ink cartridge 107K.
107F, each second storage area 660 of each storage element 80,
760 (step ST17). In storing (writing) the ink remaining amount in each of the second storage areas 660 and 760, the ink remaining amount is alternately stored in two storage areas allocated to each ink. Which storage area of the two storage areas has been stored can be identified by, for example, arranging a flag at the head position of the two storage areas and setting a flag of the storage area where the writing has been performed. . Finally, the power supply is turned off (step ST18).

Of the processing for turning off the power,
Storage element 80 of ink cartridges 107K and 107F
The process of writing the remaining amount of ink to the printer will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 13A and 13B. FIG.
FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating a process when writing the remaining amount of ink from the printer main body 100 to a storage element built in the ink cartridge. FIG. 13B is a timing chart when this processing is performed.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 13A and 13B, first, an enable signal CS for enabling the storage element 80 is sent to select the storage element 80 (step ST21). Next, in order to assign the data to be written to a preset address, the address counter 8 in the storage element 80 is controlled by the clock signal CLK.
3 is counted up (step ST22). After counting up to the predetermined write address in this way, the terminal of the read / write control unit 83 is switched to the write state. Then, the clock signal CLK
When the read / write signal W / R bar (meaning active low) is output in synchronization with the
00 outputs the remaining ink data DATA to the data terminal, and writes the data into the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F (step ST23). In FIG. 13B, the writing is executed in synchronization with the fifth clock signal CLK. However, this is for explaining general writing, and in this embodiment, the first clock signal is used. The writing of the remaining amount of ink is executed in synchronization with CLK.

(Effects of the First Embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, when data such as the remaining ink amount is stored using the storage element 80 of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F, the black and color inks are stored. In each of the cartridges 107K and 107F, the storage element 80
Since an inexpensive EEPROM that only performs sequential access is used, the ink cartridges 107K and 107K can be manufactured at a cost suitable for the nature of consumables.
F can be provided.

Further, regarding second storage areas 660 and 760 where rewriting is performed in storage element 80, first storage area 650 where read-only data is stored,
The address is accessed before 750. Therefore, after the power switch of panel switch 92 is turned off, second storage areas 660 and 760
, The data rewriting can be completed before the power plug is unplugged from the outlet. As a result, even if the cost of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is reduced by using an inexpensive storage element 80 for which only sequential access is performed, there is an advantage that abnormal data rewriting is unlikely to occur.

That is, if the power plug is disconnected from the outlet and the data is destroyed during rewriting of the remaining ink data, the remaining ink cannot be monitored thereafter. However, in the present embodiment, since the ink remaining amount data is arranged in the storage areas 650, 660, 750, and 760 in the storage element 80 so as to be arranged in the head area of the storage area, the power plug is disconnected from the outlet. Rewriting of data can be completed within a short time before data is rewritten. As a result, there is an advantage that abnormal data rewriting is unlikely to occur.

Further, in the present embodiment, the remaining ink amount data for each ink type of the ink cartridges 107K and 107F is stored and monitored. Has an advantage that it is possible to immediately determine whether an error has occurred in the designation or because the ink of a specific color has run out.

Further, the second storage areas 660 and 76
0, the data rewriting of the latest ink remaining amount is 2
It is performed alternately in one storage area. Therefore, even if there is a trouble such as the plug being unplugged from the outlet while the data of the latest ink remaining amount is being rewritten, the data cannot be rewritten normally,
In the other area, data that has been rewritten last time is always stored. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the current data rewriting, the monitoring of the ink remaining amount can be continued based on the previously rewritten data.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the ink jet printer 1 used in the first embodiment is applicable. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the ink jet printer 1 is omitted by attaching the same number. However, in the second embodiment, a control IC 200 is provided in the print head 10, and the control IC 200 controls each storage element 108.
0, 1082 are controlled. For convenience of explanation, the storage elements 1080 and 1082 will be described first, and then the control IC 200 will be described.

(Data Structure of Storage Elements 1080 and 1082) Hereinafter, the storage elements 1080 and 1 of ink cartridges 1107K and 1107F according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
082 will be described. The ink cartridges 1107K and 1107F of the second embodiment have storage elements 1080,
Except for the internal data structure of the 82 memory cells 1081 and 1083, the ink cartridges 107K and 107K of the first embodiment
It has the same configuration as 07F. Therefore, those components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, since each piece of information is stored in a bit unit capacity, the addresses of the storage elements 1080 and 1082 mean the head addresses where each piece of information should be stored. Each piece of information is continuously stored in bit units.

First, the data structure of the memory cell 1081 of the storage element 1080 of the ink cartridge 1107K will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows the internal data structure (memory map) of the memory cell 1081 for each information item on the right, and the control IC as viewed from the printer main body 100.
It is an explanatory view showing the address of 200 on the left side. The memory cell 1081 has readable / writable addresses 00 to
18 and read-only addresses 28 to 66. At address 00 of the memory cell 1081, information on the remaining amount of black ink is stored in an 8-bit capacity. Address 08 indicates the number of times the print head has been cleaned, and address 10 indicates the ink cartridge 1107K.
Is stored in an 8-bit capacity. Further, the address 18 stores the attachment time information in a 16-bit capacity. As described above, since the data regarding the remaining amount of the black ink is assigned to the head address of the readable / writable address,
Data regarding the remaining amount of black ink can be written first.

The initial value of the data relating to the remaining amount of ink is, for example, 100 when expressed as a percentage, and decreases to 0 with the execution of the printing process. Alternatively, the ink consumption may be used instead of the ink remaining amount. In this case,
The initial value is, for example, 0 when expressed as a percentage, and increases to 100 with the execution of the printing process. In calculating the percentage, the printer main body 100 has the maximum ink capacity data of the ink cartridges 1107K and 1107F, and the percentage is calculated based on the maximum ink capacity data and the actual ink consumption. Or,
The maximum capacity may be stored in the storage elements 1080 and 1082 of the ink cartridges 1107K and 1107F.

When the ink consumption is used, a value of 0 to 90% can be written as the initial value of the ink consumption data. Normally, in a state where no data is written, the memory data is “undefined”, but by writing a value of 0 to 90%, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the ink has been used. . Further, it is possible to reliably detect that the retained ink amount is indicated on the assumption that the appropriate correction is performed during use. Furthermore, by setting the maximum value of the ink consumption data to 90%, it is possible to prevent the ink from running out during the printing process.

In the case of a half size cartridge in which the ink capacity is half that of the standard size cartridge, the initial value of the remaining ink amount or the ink consumption amount may be set to 50,
Alternatively, the initial value of the remaining ink amount is set to 100 or the initial value of the ink consumption amount is set to 0, and the rate of decrease or increase is set to 2
May be doubled. In such a case, when the standard size cartridge and the half size cartridge can be used together, the remaining ink amount can be managed on the same scale.

The information related to the manufacture of the ink container is, for example, that the address 28 has a 7-bit capacity for the manufacturing year information.
The address 2F stores the manufacturing month information in a 4-bit capacity, and the address 33 stores the manufacturing date information in a 5-bit capacity. Further, the address 38 stores the manufacturing time information with a 5-bit capacity, the address 3D stores the manufacturing amount information with a 6-bit capacity, and the address 43 stores the manufacturing serial number information with an 8-bit capacity. The address 4B stores the information on the number of recycles in 3 bits, the address 60 stores the information on the validity of the ink in 6 bits, and the address 66 stores the information on the validity after opening in 5 bits. ing.

Next, the data structure of the memory cell 1083 of the storage element 1082 of the ink cartridge 1107F will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows the internal data structure (memory map) of the memory cell 1083 for each information item on the right, and the control IC as viewed from the printer main body 100.
It is an explanatory view showing the address of 200 on the left side. The memory cell 1083 has a readable / writable address 00 to
38 and read-only addresses 48-86. Address 00 of the memory cell 1083 contains the remaining amount information of the cyan ink, address 08 contains the remaining amount information of the magenta ink, address 10 contains the remaining amount information of the yellow ink, and address 18 contains the capacity information of the light cyan ink. , Address 20 stores information on the remaining amount of light magenta ink with a capacity of 8 bits.

The address 28 stores information on the number of times of cleaning of the print head, and the address 30 stores information on the number of times the ink cartridge 1107F has been mounted, each having a capacity of 8 bits. Further, the address 38 stores the attachment time information in a 16-bit capacity.
As described above, since the data regarding the remaining amount of each color ink is allocated to the head address of the readable / writable address, the data regarding the remaining amount of each color ink can be written first. Also, since the remaining ink amount information for each color of cyan, magenta and yellow is allocated to the first three bytes (24 bits), and the remaining ink amount information for each color of light cyan and light magenta is allocated to the following two bytes (16 bits). The present invention can be applied to a three-color ink cartridge composed of three colors of cyan, magenta and yellow.

Here, the initial value of the ink remaining amount is, for example,
It is 100 when expressed as a percentage, and decreases to 0 with the execution of the printing process. Alternatively, the ink consumption may be used instead of the ink remaining amount. In this case, the initial value is, for example, 0 when expressed as a percentage, and increases to 100 with the execution of the printing process. Since the handling of the data regarding the remaining ink amount of the color ink is the same as the handling of the data regarding the remaining ink amount of the black ink, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The information relating to the manufacture of the ink container is, for example, that the address 48 has a 7-bit capacity for the manufacturing year information.
The address 4F stores the manufacturing month information in a 4-bit capacity, and the address 53 stores the manufacturing date information in a 5-bit capacity. Further, the address 58 stores manufacturing time information in a 5-bit capacity, the address 5D stores manufacturing information in a 6-bit capacity, and the address 63 stores manufacturing serial number information in an 8-bit capacity. The address 6B stores the information on the number of recycles in 3 bits, the address 80 stores the information on the validity period of the ink in 6 bits, and the address 86 stores the validity information after opening in 5 bits. ing.

Further, the address of the control IC 200 as viewed from the printer body 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in the figure, of the lower 8 bits of the control IC 200, addresses 00 to 10 are assigned to information on the storage element 1080 of the ink cartridge 1107K, and addresses 20 to 34 are assigned to information on the storage element 1082 of the ink cartridge 1107F. Have been assigned. Each address is assigned a data length of 1 byte or 2 bytes.

(Description of Control IC 200) Next, the control IC 200
200 will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, in the present embodiment, writing to each of the storage elements 1080 and 1082 is controlled by the control IC 200. FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a carriage 101 of an ink jet printer to which the second embodiment can be applied. FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram including the control IC 200. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a connection relationship among the printer main body 100, the control IC 200, and the storage element.

As shown in FIG. 16, the control IC 200 is provided on the carriage 101 integrally with the print head 10. The control IC 200 controls each of the storage elements 1080, 10 via a contact mechanism 130 disposed on the carriage 101.
82, and writes predetermined information in response to a request. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the control IC 20
0 has a RAM 210 for temporarily holding write data, is connected to the print controller 40 via the parallel input / output interface 49, and is connected to each of the storage elements 1080 and 1082. That is, the control IC 200 is disposed between the print controller 40 and the storage elements 1080 and 082 on the ink cartridges 1107K and 1107F, and controls data exchange between the two. In FIG. 17, for convenience of illustration, the print head 10, the carriage mechanism 12, and the control I
C200 is shown separately.

The print controller 40 receives the input signal R
xD, and outputs the command selection signal SEL to the control IC 20
The predetermined information is written to 0 at predetermined time intervals. The written predetermined information is temporarily stored in the RAM 210. Here, the predetermined time interval is, for example, a time interval each time one page of print processing ends, every several rasters of print processing ends, or every time manual cleaning is performed. Further, the predetermined information includes, for example, information on the remaining amount of ink, the number of times of cleaning, the number of times of attachment, and the time of attachment. In contrast, the control IC 200
Receives the input signal RxD and the command selection signal SEL, and outputs information desired by the print controller 40 among the information read and stored in advance from the storage elements 1080 and 1082 to the print controller 40 as an output signal TxD. I do.

The ink remaining amount data is calculated as described in the first embodiment, and then stored in the main body EEPROM 90. The cleaning count data is stored in the main body EEPROM 90 during the cleaning operation. Data of the number of times of mounting
The storage element 108 of each ink cartridge
0, 1082, and the read value is stored in the main body EEPROM 90 after being incremented by one. Further, the attachment time data is output to the control IC 200 at the time of the ink cartridge removal processing, and is written to the storage elements 1080 and 1082 of each ink cartridge.

The control IC 200 stores the storage element 1 according to an instruction from the printer main body 100 (print controller 40).
The decoding process performed when the writing process is performed on 080 and 1082 will be briefly described.
First, the control IC 200 sets the start address * Adf and the end address * Ad of the addresses (bit data) of the memory cells 1081 and 1083 to which the control unit 46 wants to write.
e is converted to the number of clocks. The control IC 200 also
Data to be written, for example, remaining ink data (parallel data) is converted into remaining ink data (serial data). Subsequently, * Adf-1 clock pulses are output to the storage elements 1080 and 1082, and * Ade-Adf clock pulses are output to the storage elements 1080 and 1082 and written synchronously. Transfer data serially. The write data is temporarily stored in the control IC 200 until writing to each of the storage elements 1080 and 1082 is executed. Alternatively, when subsequent writing of the print controller 40 to the control IC 200 is earlier than writing of the control IC 200 to each storage element, the data is updated with new data.

Note that each storage element 1 by the control IC 200
Writing to 080 and 1082 is executed at the time of power-off operation or cartridge replacement, and writing of the predetermined information is executed. When writing to each of the storage elements 1080 and 1082, the control IC 200 converts the byte data into bit data and
Write processing in parallel with Further, as described above, the clock pulse output from the control IC corresponds to the address in bit units.

(Writing Process to Storage Elements 1080 and 1082) Next, a writing operation to each of the storage elements 1080 and 1082 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 shows the storage element 1080 by the control IC 200,
10 is a flowchart illustrating a write processing routine executed for the print processing routine 1082.

As described above, when the power supply to the print controller 40 becomes 0 when the power supply is turned off or when the power supply plug is unplugged from the outlet or the like, the control unit 4
6 issues a power down command (NMI). Control IC2
00 starts the writing process for the storage elements 1080 and 1082 upon receiving the power down command (NMI) (step S100). First, the control IC 200 refers to its own control register area, and determines whether all the read / write BUSY flags of the storage elements 1080 and 1082 are in the READY state, that is, the read / write processing for the storage elements 1080 and 1082 is performed. It is determined whether the state has not been executed (step S110). If all the read / write BUSY flags are in the READY state (step S110: Y
es), the control IC 200 includes the storage elements 1080, 10
82 whether or not the NMI write flag is in a permitted state;
That is, it is confirmed whether each of the storage elements 1080 and 1082 is a storage element to which writing is permitted at the time of the power down command (step S120).

If the NMI writing is permitted (S120: Yes), the ink cartridge to which writing is permitted is confirmed (step S130), and the remaining ink amount is stored in the storage element of the permitted ink cartridge. Then, the designated information is written to the designated address in the order of the number of times of cleaning, the number of times of attachment, and the time of attachment (step S140). After the writing is completed, the process waits until all the read / write BUSY flags are in the READY state (step S150), and when all the read / write BUSY flags are in the ready state (step S150: Yes), the storage element 108
0, 1082 (CS1, CS2,
CLK1, CLK2, R / W1, R / W2, I / O1,
I / O2) is set to Hi-Z (step S160). Subsequently, the power supply output to the storage elements 1080 and 1082 is turned off (S170).

If all the read / write BUSY flags are not in the READY state in step S110 (step S110: No), the read / write BU
The process waits until all the SY flags are in the READY state (step S180). When all of the SY flags are in the READY state (step S180: Yes), the process shifts to step S150 and executes steps S160 to S170.

In step 120, each storage element 10
If the NMI write flags of 80 and 1082 are not in the permitted state (S120: No), the process proceeds to step S150 and executes steps S160 to S170.

Writing Process FIGS. 20 to 22
This will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing routine executed by the control IC 200 at the time of writing processing, and FIGS. 21 and 22 are timing charts at the time of executing writing processing. FIG. 21 shows a timing chart when the write processing is executed from the head address, and FIG. 22 shows a timing chart when the write processing is executed from the desired address through dummy reading.

When this processing routine is started, as shown in FIG. 21, the control IC 200 sets the CS signal to low level and sets the address counter 8 in the storage elements 1080 and 1082.
3 is reset (step S200). Control IC 20
0 next sets the CS signal to high level and
0, 1082 to the active state (step S21)
0). Subsequently, the control IC 200 outputs to the storage elements 1080 and 1082 clock pulses corresponding to the address at which the print controller 40 receives data from the print controller 40 (step S220). The address counter 83 in the storage elements 1080 and 1082 increments the address in bit units at the falling timing of the clock signal, so that the control IC 200 specifies a desired address (S230). Subsequently, the control IC 200
Sets the W / R signal to a high level, thereby causing the storage element 1
080 and 1082 are specified, and data to be written is output to the data bus. As a result, write data is written to desired addresses in the memory cells 1081 and 1083 (S24).
0). Thereafter, the writing process ends. As described above, in this embodiment, the address is specified in units of bits and is incremented in units of bits.

When writing is performed at the next address following the specified address, the CS signal,
The W / R signal is held High, and a clock pulse corresponding to the next address is sent from the control IC 200 to the storage element 1.
080 and 1082 (address counter 83). After the next address is designated, the control IC 20
Writing of the write data output from 0 is executed. On the other hand, when writing is performed at the next address discontinuous with the designated address, as shown in FIG.
The W / R signal for 82 is set to low level, and idle reading is executed until the next address is reached. Then, after reaching the next address, the W / R signal from the control IC 200 to the storage elements 1080 and 1082 is set to the high level, and the write data is output to the data bus to execute the write.

For example, the storage element 108 according to the present embodiment
A case where the remaining ink amount is written in the memory cells 0 and 1082 will be described. A storage element 1080 according to the present embodiment,
As described above, in the memory cell 1082, the storage element 1080 has the address 00 and the storage element 1082 has the addresses 00, 0
8, 10, 18, and 20 are assigned. Further, in the present embodiment, the control IC 200 includes the storage elements 1080, 10
When writing to the storage element 82, the storage element 10
A configuration is provided in which the address counters in 80 and 1082 are reset to 0. Therefore, when the control IC 200 executes the writing process, the storage elements 1080, 108
For 2, the remaining ink data is written before the other data.

(Effect of the Second Embodiment) As a result, the power supply
After the FF, the ink remaining amount data is quickly stored in the storage element 10.
It is possible to write data to the storage elements 1080 and 1082 sufficiently even when the power plug is immediately disconnected from the outlet after the power is turned off. it can.

Further, from the control IC 200 to the storage element 1
080, 1082, the power supply O
It is also executed when the power plug is unplugged without executing the operation of the FF or at the time of a power failure. As described above, the NMI command is issued even under such conditions, and power is supplied to the print controller 40 for 0.3 seconds by the compensation power supply of the printer main body 100. At this time, in the present embodiment, the remaining ink data is first written into the storage elements 1080 and 1082, so that the writing process can be completed sufficiently while power is being supplied.

[Other Embodiments] In the first embodiment, the data stored in the second storage areas 660 and 760 is only the remaining amount of ink.
7K, 107F attachment / detachment count, ink cartridge 107
The elapsed time after opening K, 107F is used as rewrite data for reading and writing data with respect to the printer main body 100 as the second storage area 660,
760 may be stored. In this way, if the number of times the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are attached and detached is stored, the degree of air bubbles entering the ink (inside the ink cartridge) differs, and accordingly, the ink cartridges 107K and 107F are transferred from the ink cartridges 107K and 107F to the print head 10. The ink filling condition (for example, the number of times of flushing) into the flow path can be adjusted to the optimum condition.

Further, the color ink cartridge 10
7F, in the second storage area 660, two storage areas in which data of the latest ink remaining amount are alternately stored are stored in a continuous area for each color. The storage areas of the colors to be written may be successively arranged, and subsequently, the storage areas of the colors to be written next (or the previous time) may be arranged.

Further, in the first embodiment, the second storage area 66 in the color ink cartridge 107F is provided.
In the case of 0, two storage areas for sequentially rewriting data of the latest ink remaining amount are secured for each color.
Three or more areas may be reserved for one color.

Further, in the first and second embodiments,
Although the address counter 83 is of a type that counts up, an address counter that counts down may be used. Area 6
What is necessary is just to change the data array so that the data array is accessed prior to 50 and 750. That is, the second storage area 66
0 and 760 are located at addresses higher than the first storage areas 650 and 750. In the second embodiment, the information on the remaining amount of ink arranged at the start address may be arranged at the end address.

Further, in the second embodiment, a configuration is provided in which the remaining ink amount data is arranged in a storage area which is accessed first by the printer main body 100 among the addresses in the memory cells. However, as shown in FIG. 23, a configuration may be employed in which format information is provided at an address first accessed by the printer main body 100. FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data array structure 900 in a memory cell. The format information 901 is used to specify information to be stored in a memory cell. For example, when writing ink remaining amount data or the like, the writing area is set based on the format information 901 and the remaining ink amount in the writable area 902 is determined. Necessary writing is executed after specifying the data in the storage area 903. Therefore, the information stored in the read-only area 904 is not inadvertently erased.

Further, in order to access necessary information based on the format information 901, for example, even when the storage elements used for the black ink cartridge and the color ink cartridge are shared, the format information 901 is used. Is appropriately set, the access time for reading, writing, etc., does not require much time. That is, for example, in the case of ink remaining amount data,
In accordance with the ink capacity of each ink cartridge, the capacity of the ink remaining amount data storage area 903 is set in the format information 90.
1 may be specified. In an ink cartridge having a small amount of information to be stored, the format information 9
By limiting the accessible area by 01, a short access time can be realized even when a general-purpose storage element is used.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the printing is performed by either an on-carriage type printing apparatus in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage 101 or an off-carriage type printing apparatus in which the ink cartridge is not mounted on the carriage 101. It can also be applied to devices.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, there is provided a configuration in which the remaining ink data is stored at the head position of the memory address. However, the storage position of the ink remaining amount data is
It is sufficient that the memory address is first written by the printer body 100 (print controller 40). For example, if the initial write address by the print controller 40 is an intermediate address, the ink remaining amount data is also changed to the intermediate address. Is stored in That is, the storage position of the ink remaining amount data is the memory cell 8
1, 1081 and 1083 need not be physical start addresses, but may be any memory address to be written / read first.

In each of the above embodiments, the storage element 80,
Although the EEPROM is used as the 1080 and 1082, a sequential access type dielectric memory (FEROM) or the like may be used instead. The flash memory belongs to the category of the above-mentioned EEPROM.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the remaining ink amount is used as the information relating to the ink amount, but the ink consumption amount may be used instead.

Further, instead of the ink cartridges 107K, 107F, 1107K, and 1107F used in each embodiment, an ink cartridge 500 as shown in FIG. 24 may be used. FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an ink cartridge 500 according to another embodiment.

The ink cartridge 500 contains a porous body (not shown) impregnated with ink in a container 51 formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the upper surface thereof is sealed with a lid 53. Inside the container 51, five ink storage portions (for example, 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, 107LM in the ink cartridges 107F and 1107F) each separately storing five color inks.
Y) is sectioned. An ink supply port 54 is formed on the bottom surface of the container 51 at a position facing the ink supply needle when mounted on the holder, according to each ink color. A protruding portion 56 is formed integrally with the upper end of the vertical wall 55 on the ink supply port side to engage with the protrusion of the lever on the main body side. The overhang portion 56 is separately formed on both sides of the wall 55 and has a rib 56a. Further, a triangular rib 57 is formed between the lower surface and the wall 55.
Further, the container 51 has a concave portion 59 for preventing erroneous insertion.

On the ink supply port forming side of the vertical wall 55, a concave portion 58 is formed so as to be located at the center in the width direction of each cartridge 500, and the circuit board 31 is mounted here. The circuit board 31 has a plurality of contacts on a surface facing the contacts of the main body, and a storage element is mounted on the back surface. Further, on the vertical wall 55, protrusions 55a and 55b for positioning the circuit board 31 and overhang portions 55c and 55
d is formed.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, magenta, cyan, yellow, light cyan,
Five colors of light magenta were used, but other color combinations,
Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to a case where six or seven colors are added by adding another color.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an ink jet printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a layout of nozzle openings formed in the print head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion.

6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a storage element built in an ink cartridge used in the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of a storage element built in a black ink cartridge used in the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of a storage element incorporated in a color ink cartridge used in the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a data array of an EEPROM built in the printer main body of the ink jet printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed when the power is turned on.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed to calculate an ink remaining amount.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed until power is turned off in the inkjet printer illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing processing and timing when the remaining amount of ink is written from the printer main body to a storage element built in the ink cartridge in the ink jet printer.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal data structure (memory map) of the memory cell for each information item of the black ink cartridge according to the second embodiment on the right side, and the address of the control IC viewed from the printer main body 100 on the left side.

FIG. 15 shows the internal data structure (memory map) of the memory cell for each information item of the color ink cartridge according to the second embodiment on the right side of the printer main body 100.
It is an explanatory view showing the address of the control IC viewed from the left side.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a carriage structure of an ink jet printer to which the second embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of an inkjet printer including a control IC 200.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a connection relationship among a printer main body, a control IC 200, and a storage element.

FIG. 19 shows a storage element 1080, 1
It is a flowchart which shows the write processing routine performed with respect to 082.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a write process in detail.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart when a writing process is performed.

FIG. 22 is a timing chart when a writing process is executed.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data array structure in a memory cell according to another embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an ink cartridge 500 according to another embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink-jet printer (ink-jet printing apparatus) 5 ... Print engine 10 ... Print head 17 ... Piezoelectric vibrator 23 ... Nozzle opening 40 ... Print controller 46 ... Control part 80 ... Storage element 81 ... Memory cell 82 ... Read / write control part 83: Address counter 95: Address decoder 100: Printer body 107K, 107F: Ink cartridge (ink container) 107C, 107LC, 107M, 107LM, 107
Y: ink storage unit 200: control IC 210: RAM 650, 750: first storage area 660, 760: first storage area 901: format information 902: writable area 903: ink remaining amount storage area 904: read-only Area 1080, 1082: Storage element 1107K, 1107F: Ink cartridge COM: Drive signal

Continued on front page (31) Priority claim number Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 11-296012 (32) Priority date October 18, 1999 (Oct. 18, 1999) (33) Priority claim country Japan (JP) F-term ( Reference) 2C056 EA11 EA24 EA29 EB02 EB20 EB29 EB38 EB56 EB59 EC02 EC06 EC19 EE18 FA10 JB04 KC05 KC10 KC11 KC13 KC22 KC30

Claims (54)

[Claims] 1. An ink container mounted on a printing apparatus, comprising: an ink container for storing printing ink; and readable and writable predetermined information including at least a plurality of pieces of information relating to an amount of ink in the ink container. A storage unit for storing in a non-volatile manner, wherein the storage unit is an area first written by the printing apparatus and has an ink amount information storage area for storing information related to the ink amount. . 2. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein
An ink container having a number of storage chambers corresponding to the type of the printing ink, and the ink amount information storage area having a storage capacity corresponding to the type of the printing ink; 3. The ink container according to claim 2, wherein
The ink container, wherein the ink amount information storage area has a capacity of at least 3 bytes. 4. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the ink amount information storage area is written when the ink container is replaced or when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off. The ink container that is the area. 5. The ink container according to claim 3, wherein
The ink storage unit has three or more storage chambers that store at least three different color inks, and the ink amount information storage area stores information related to the ink amount in each of the storage chambers independently of each other. An ink container having a plurality of information storage areas, each of which has a capacity of at least 1 byte. 6. The ink container according to claim 3, wherein
The ink amount information storage area has a capacity of at least 5 bytes, the ink storage section has five or more storage chambers for storing at least five different colors of ink, An ink container having a plurality of information storage areas for independently storing information related to the amount of ink in a room, and each of the plurality of information storage areas is assigned a 1-byte capacity. 7. The ink container according to claim 6, wherein
The five inks include three dark colors and two light colors corresponding to two of the three dark colors, and the ink amount information storage area is first written by the printing device. An ink container having the information storage area for storing the ink information corresponding to the three dark colors in an area, and the information storage area for storing the ink information corresponding to the two light colors next. 8. The ink container according to claim 7, wherein
An ink container in which the three dark colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, and the two light colors are light cyan and light magenta, respectively. 9. The ink container according to claim 4, wherein the information storage area is an area in which the information is written when the ink container is replaced or when the power of the printing apparatus is turned off. Some ink containers. 10. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a storage unit that is sequentially accessed in synchronization with a clock signal. 11. The ink container according to claim 10, wherein the storage section has a plurality of storage areas, and the ink amount information storage area is arranged at a head position among the plurality of storage areas of the storage section. Ink container that is a storage area. 12. The ink container according to claim 10, wherein the storage section has a plurality of storage areas, and the ink amount information storage area is arranged at a tail position among the plurality of storage areas of the storage section. Ink container that is a storage area. 13. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the ink amount is a remaining amount of the ink. 14. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the amount of ink is a cumulative amount of ink consumed for the ink container. 15. An ink container mounted on a printing apparatus, comprising: an ink container for storing printing ink; and non-volatile and readable and writable predetermined information including at least information relating to an amount of ink in the ink container. A first storage area for storing read-only information and a first storage area for storing read-only information, wherein the storage section is sequentially accessed in synchronization with a clock signal. And a second storage area for storing rewrite information. 16. The ink container according to claim 15, wherein the information stored in the second storage area includes a value in the ink storage unit calculated by the printing apparatus based on an amount of ink consumed for printing. An ink container that contains ink level information. 17. The ink container according to claim 15, further comprising: a plurality of ink storage sections each storing a plurality of color inks, wherein the ink storage section includes a plurality of ink storage sections. The ink container according to claim 1, further comprising information on a remaining amount of ink for each ink storage unit calculated by the printing apparatus. 18. The ink container according to claim 15, wherein the information stored in the second storage area includes information on an ink consumption amount in the ink storage unit calculated based on an ink consumption amount during printing. Containing an ink container. 19. The ink container according to claim 18, wherein said ink consumption information has a value in a range from 0 to a predetermined value as an initial value. 20. The ink container according to claim 15, wherein the second storage area includes two or more storage areas in which information on the latest ink remaining amount is sequentially rewritten. container. 21. The ink container according to claim 15, wherein the information stored in the second storage area includes an ink container measured by the printing apparatus main body. An ink container that includes at least one of information on an elapsed time since opening the printer and the number of times the ink container is attached to and detached from the printing apparatus main body measured on the printing apparatus main body side. 22. The ink container according to claim 15, wherein the information stored in the first storage area includes a date of manufacture of the ink container,
An ink container containing information on at least one of the type of ink stored in the ink container and the ink storage capacity of the ink container. 23. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is an E-type ink container.
An ink container that is an EPROM. 24. The ink container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit has format information on an item of information stored by the storage unit. 25. The ink container according to claim 24, wherein the format information is arranged in a head area of the storage unit. 26. A method for writing predetermined information to an ink container which is mounted on a printing apparatus and has a storage element, wherein the printing apparatus stores information relating to an amount of ink in the ink container to be written into the storage element. A method of generating a plurality of pieces of predetermined information including: writing predetermined information into an ink container that first writes information related to the ink amount among the plurality of pieces of generated predetermined information into the storage element. 27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the information related to the ink amount is written when the ink container is replaced and when the power supply is turned off.
A method of writing predetermined information in an ink container executed at the time of F. 28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of arranging said plurality of pieces of predetermined information so as to indicate said ink amount information from the beginning according to the type of printing ink. A method of writing the predetermined information in an ink container for writing the predetermined information to the storage element in accordance with the order in which the predetermined information is written. 29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the step of storing said plurality of pieces of predetermined information such that at least three bytes from the beginning indicate ink amount information for at least three different color inks. A method of writing the predetermined information in an ink container that writes the predetermined information in the storage element in the order in which the predetermined information is written. 30. A method according to claim 28, further comprising the step of storing said plurality of pieces of predetermined information such that at least 5 bytes from the top indicate ink amount information for at least five different colors of ink. A method of writing the predetermined information in an ink container that writes the predetermined information in the storage element in the order in which the predetermined information is written. 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said five colors of ink are of a dark color 3
And two light colors corresponding to two of the three dark colors. The arrangement of the predetermined information is such that ink amount information corresponding to the three dark colors is arranged first, and then, A method of writing predetermined information in an ink container in which ink amount information corresponding to the two light colors is arranged. 32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said three dark colors of ink are cyan, magenta and yellow, respectively, and said two light colors are light cyan and light magenta, respectively. A method of writing predetermined information in an ink container. 33. A method according to claim 26, wherein said predetermined information is written in an ink container which is executed in a sequential access format. How to write. 34. The method according to claim 26, wherein the information relating to the ink amount is the accumulated ink consumption of the ink container. A method of writing predetermined information in an ink container. 35. The method according to claim 26, wherein the information relating to the ink amount is a remaining amount of ink in the ink container. A method of writing predetermined information to a computer. 36. A printing apparatus to which any one of the ink containers according to claim 1 is mounted, wherein said plurality of ink containers include information relating to the amount of ink in said ink container. And a writing device for writing information related to the ink amount in the predetermined information into the ink amount information storage area on the ink container side. 37. An ink container which contains ink and is attached to and detached from the printing apparatus main body, and a printing apparatus main body which performs printing on the medium by ejecting the ink stored in the ink container from the print head toward the medium. The ink container includes a storage unit and an address counter that counts up or down based on a clock signal when reading and writing between the storage unit and the printing device main body. A storage unit of a sequential access format, the storage unit serving as the storage unit, a first storage area for storing read-only data that is read only from the printing apparatus main body, Read / write with the printing apparatus main body in an area accessed before the storage area of And a second storage area for storing the rewrite data to be rope, the ink jet printing apparatus, the ink jet printing apparatus comprising means for inputting and outputting data to be read or written in response to the clock signal. 38. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the data stored in the second storage area is calculated on the side of the printing apparatus main body based on the amount of ink consumed by the print head. An ink jet printing apparatus, further comprising data on the remaining amount of ink in the ink container. 39. An ink-jet printing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said ink container includes a plurality of ink storage sections each storing a plurality of color inks, and data stored in said second storage area. The ink jet printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising data on a remaining amount of ink for each of the ink storage units calculated by the printing apparatus main body. 40. The ink-jet printing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the second storage area includes two or more storage areas in which data of the latest ink remaining amount is sequentially rewritten. An ink jet printing apparatus, comprising: 41. An ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said ink remaining amount data is rewritten after a power switch of said printing apparatus main body is turned off. An ink jet printing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 42. An ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the data stored in said second storage area is measured by said printing apparatus main body. It is characterized in that at least one type of data is included among the elapsed time since opening the ink container, and the number of times the ink container is attached to and detached from the printing device main body measured on the printing device main body side. Inkjet printing device. 43. The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the data stored in the first storage area includes the date of manufacture of the ink container, An ink jet printing apparatus comprising at least one kind of data of a kind of ink contained in an ink container and an ink containing capacity of the ink container. 44. An ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said storage means is an EEPROM. 45. A storage device provided in an ink container mounted on a printing device, comprising: an address counter for outputting a count value based on a clock signal output from the printing device; and a storage device based on the output count value. A storage device provided in an ink container comprising: a storage element having a plurality of storage areas that are sequentially accessed and that store a plurality of pieces of predetermined information in a readable and writable manner and in a nonvolatile manner. 46. The storage device provided in the ink container according to claim 45, wherein the storage area is arranged before a first storage area for storing predetermined read-only information, and before the first storage area. And a second storage area for storing information relating to the amount of ink in the ink container. 47. The storage device provided in the ink container according to claim 45, wherein the storage area stores information related to the amount of ink in the ink container at a position where writing is first performed by the printing device. A storage device provided in an ink container having an ink amount information storage area. 48. The storage device provided in the ink container according to claim 45 or 47, wherein the storage unit is provided in the ink container having format information on items of information stored therein. . 49. A storage device provided in an ink container according to claim 48, wherein said format information is provided in an ink container arranged in a head area of said storage unit. 50. The storage device provided in an ink container according to claim 45, wherein said storage device is an EEPROM. 51. An ink container provided with an ink storage section for storing printing ink, comprising: an address counter for outputting a count value based on an input clock signal; and a sequential counter based on the output count value. A storage element that is accessed and stores a plurality of pieces of predetermined information in a readable and writable and non-volatile manner, wherein information that is updated in relation to ink in the ink storage unit is stored in the storage element, and a default value of the count value is stored in the storage element. The ink container stored in the area that is first read out using. 52. The ink container according to claim 51, wherein the information to be updated is a remaining amount of ink. 53. The ink container according to claim 51, wherein the updated information is an ink consumption. 54. The ink container according to claim 53, wherein the ink consumption is a value in a range from 0 to a predetermined value as an initial value.