JP2003011469A - Consumable goods unit and imaging apparatus comprising it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient and environment friendly consumable goods unit which can sustain the image quality, and an imaging apparatus comprising it. SOLUTION: An ink cartridge is shipped while being attached with a trademark logo label 23 representative of a trademark 'ABC' and a plain label 24 indicative of the number of times. On the other hand, an ink supplementing set 27 which can supplement ink repeatedly within an appropriate number of times is marketed while being packaged together with a replacing label 29 indicating a regular trademark logo. When the ink cartridge is set in a printer and 'ink end' is detected by a sensor after ink is consumed by printing, the trademark logo 'ABC' is painted out by a writing unit before the ink cartridge is taken out from the printer and one black line is added to the label 24 indicative of the number of times. The ink cartridge can be used only after a new replacing label 29 is attached to the logo part 43 and it can not be used when the label 24 indicative of the number of times is painted out upon ending the number of supplementing times regardless of the state of the replacing label 29.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a consumable unit which is environmentally friendly, does not cause troubles in image quality, and is convenient for users, and an image forming apparatus using the consumable unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the recent information society, image forming apparatuses (printers) are widely used as peripheral devices for data processing. For commercial use, electrophotographic printers that use toner to form images, and
For personal use, a convenient inkjet printer is known.

A main part of an electrophotographic printer (or copying machine) that uses toner is a consumable unit.
A photoconductor unit including a photoconductor that forms an electrostatic latent image as a center, and a developing unit that visualizes (develops) the electrostatic latent image with toner are detachably arranged. The above photoconductor unit is replaced with a new photoconductor unit when the photoconductor reaches the end of its life, and the developing unit is also replaced with a new developing unit when the toner inside is exhausted. Be discarded.

Further, the ink jet printer is
As the printing method, there are a piezo ink jet method using a piezo element and a thermal ink jet method using a resistance heating element.In any case, an ink cartridge is provided as a consumable unit, and ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to a print head, Printing is performed by ejecting ink droplets from the fine ink ejection openings of the print head onto the paper surface.

The above ink cartridge generally has
There are a print head and a separate body, and an integrated body, but the print head and a separate body are replaced with a new ink cartridge when the ink is used up, and the old ink cartridge is discarded. When the ink is exhausted, the one integrated with the print head is replaced with a new one, and the old ink cartridge is discarded together with the print head.

By the way, as described above, in the electrophotographic printer, the photoconductor unit and the developing unit are originally consumable members that are discarded when they are used up. Some vendors are appearing to fill the toner, recycle it, and then resell it.

This is also the case with an ink jet type printer. Originally, an ink cartridge which is supposed to be provided as a consumable item corresponding to each model of the ink jet printer from the device maker, is replaced by an empty ink cartridge. Replenishment ink that replenishes only ink is available from the market, provided by non-genuine device manufacturers.

However, although such a recycled product looks like a genuine product or has a very similar shape, the consumables such as toner and ink contained therein are different from the genuine product in the first place. That is, the manufacturing method is different from the consumable products of the regular device manufacturers, so if you use these to operate the printer, the desired print color will not appear in the printed image, or in the case of an inkjet printer If so, there is a problem in that the print head is clogged with ink and printing is hindered. The use of such inferior consumables causes a problem of the printer body.

Once such a problem occurs, it is extremely difficult to determine whether the problem is caused by the use of a recycled product or the printer body side. As such, if the cause of the failure cannot be clearly identified, not only the responsibility for the occurrence of the failure becomes vague, but also the apparatus manufacturer cannot utilize the generated failure for the improvement and improvement of the apparatus. Improvement of equipment
If it cannot be improved, similar problems may occur frequently in the future.

In such a case, as a result, it is often the case that the user mistakenly recognizes that the problem is not caused by the recycled consumables but caused by the printer main body.
This caused the problem that the image of the device manufacturer was also down. Therefore, various proposals have been made by the applicant of the present invention in order to prevent such a problem, and as a result, Japanese Patent No. 3095008 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-1942) has been proposed.
No. 38) and Japanese Patent No. 309515 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-3).
No. 38830) is disclosed.

FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are perspective views schematically showing the structure of the above technique, and FIG. 8 (a) is a perspective view showing an example of an ink jet printer, and FIG. 8 (b). FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part thereof. The figure (b) is the arrow A in the figure (a).
It is the figure seen from the direction. The principle of preventing the above-mentioned conventional problems will be briefly described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the ink jet printer shown in FIG. 1A is, for example, a thermal ink jet type printer. This inkjet printer has a print head 1
Are held by the carriage 2 and face the platen 3. The carriage 2 is slidably held by a guide shaft 4 and engages with a toothed belt (not shown), and the toothed belt is rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown). As a result, the print head 1 reciprocally slides along the platen 3 in the print main scanning direction indicated by the double-headed arrow B in the drawing, and in the print sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. Characters and images are printed on the paper 5 conveyed by.

A head standby position is arranged at the right end (obliquely upper right direction in the drawing) of the platen 3, and the ink ejection surface of the print head 1 is sealed when the printer is on standby or the power is off. A maintenance member 6 having a capping member for preventing drying and a member for cleaning the ink ejection surface is provided.

The carriage 2 has an ink cartridge 7 for black and an ink cartridge 8 for color.
2 types of ink cartridges are installed. The ink cartridges 7 and 8 are examples of separate types from the print head 1, and are configured to be attachable to and detachable from the carriage 2. Ink cartridge 7 or 8
Is a size such that the long side does not exceed 60 mm even if it is large, and there is a sponge member inside for holding the ink and giving a negative pressure to the ink so that the ink does not leak out unnecessarily from the print head. It is enclosed.

FIG. 1B shows a state in which the color ink cartridge 8 is detached from the carriage 2 as shown by an arrow C in the figure by unlocking the lock member (not shown) as an example of attachment / detachment. Shows. On these ink cartridges 7 and 8, a label 9 on which the trademark logo "ABC" of the device manufacturer is printed is attached to the lower side surface of the container.
When the ink cartridge 7 or 8 is attached to the carriage 2, the label 9 on which the trademark logo "ABC" is printed is exposed to the outside through the window holes 11 formed in the side surface of the carriage 2. Has become. The trademark logo “AB” of the label 9 exposed to the outside from the window 11
The logo reading sensor 12 reads "C" to recognize whether or not it is a consumable unit (ink cartridge) containing genuine consumables (ink). This is to prevent printing.

Further, when the ink in the ink cartridge 7 or 8 is used up, the label 9 is made unreadable by the unreadable means so that the genuine ink cartridge 7 or 8 is made of non-genuine ink. Even if the logo is replenished, the trademark logo “ABC” cannot be read at the time when the logo reading sensor 12 reads the label 9, so that the printing can be prohibited.

In this way, since the consumable unit containing genuine consumables is recognized by the recognition label on which the logo having the trademark right is printed, the recycler who does not have the trademark right can replace the consumable unit with the imitation label. It will not be possible to sell or replenish ink other than genuine ink and reuse it, thereby preventing the distribution of inferior consumables or consumable units containing such consumables. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles that are difficult to find the cause and maintain the credibility of the product and the manufacturer, and replenish the used consumable unit with genuine ink and attach the genuine label 9. This will allow the manufacturer to properly regenerate the consumable unit using genuine toner or ink, thereby disposing of the consumable unit. Also were those conceived so as to enable it to be re-used to deal with environmental problems become easier than with.

[0018]

By the way, the proper recycling of the consumables unit can contribute to the environmental protection problem of not increasing the amount of dust, and the recycled consumables unit can store genuine consumables. Re-sale is an appropriate measure for maintaining image quality and maintaining the credibility of the device manufacturer, but there is no problem, however, there is a limit to the number of times that playback can be performed, and if playback exceeds the limit, it is a consumable unit. Can no longer maintain its performance.

In view of the above conventional circumstances, an object of the present invention is to
A consumable unit and a consumable unit that can deal with the environmental problem of not increasing the amount of dust, maintain the credibility of the device manufacturer without causing problems such as deterioration of image quality even with recycled products, and are easy for users to use. An image forming apparatus is provided.

[0020]

A consumable unit according to the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the unit will be described below. First, the consumable item unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is a consumable item unit that has a consumable item to be consumed for image formation built therein and is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. And a first display unit configured to display a specific pattern representing a trademark for permitting printing when it is read by the reading unit and determined to be a predetermined pattern by the reading unit, Second display means for recording the number of replenishments of consumables and displaying the recorded state.

At least one of the first and second display means is composed of, for example, a heat-sensitive medium that develops color when heat is applied, as described in claim 2, and, for example, as described in claim 3, electricity is supplied. And a discharge recording medium that develops color when discharged.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention has a built-in consumable item consumed by the image formation, and a first display means for displaying a specific pattern representing a trademark and the replenishment frequency of the consumable item are recorded. An image forming apparatus is used in which the display of the second display means for displaying the recorded state is detachably attached with a consumable unit provided so as to be unreadable by the application of energy from the outside. Reading means for reading the specific pattern of the first display means and the number-of-times information recorded on the second display means, and the specific pattern read by the reading means is a predetermined pattern. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it exists, a control means for enabling an image forming operation only when the discriminating result by the discriminating means is a predetermined pattern, and the reading means for reading. A number of times determining means for determining whether or not the number of times information recorded on the second display means indicates a predetermined number of times, and a determination result of the number of times determining means is a predetermined number of times And a number-of-times control unit that enables the image forming operation when the following conditions are met.

The reading means reads, for example, the first reading means for reading the specific pattern of the first display means and the number-of-times information recorded on the second display means. You may make it comprised with a 2nd reading means. Further, the image forming apparatus further includes processing means for making the specific pattern of the first display means unreadable, and consumption detecting means for detecting consumption of the consumable item. The control means is provided to operate the processing means when the consumption detecting means detects the consumption of the consumable item.

Further, for example, as described in claim 8, the processing means is configured to give a predetermined number of times information to the second display means, and the number of times control means causes the consumption detecting means to perform the consumable item. Is configured to operate when the consumption of is detected.

Further, for example, as described in claim 9, a mounting detecting means for detecting mounting of the consumable item is further provided, and the control means is arranged to detect the mounting of the consumable item by the mounting detecting means. The processing means may be operated so that the specific pattern of the first display means becomes unreadable.

Further, for example, as described in claim 10, the number-of-times control means gives a predetermined number of times information to the second display means when the mounting detection means detects mounting of the consumable item. You may comprise so that the said processing means may operate. Then, the processing means includes, for example, as described in claim 11, the first display means and the second display means.
A heating device for applying heat to at least one of the display means may be provided, and, for example, as described in claim 12,
An energizing device for applying a voltage to at least one of the first display means and the second display means may be provided, and the first display means and the second display may be provided, for example. At least one of the means may be provided with a discharging device for discharging.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, the number-of-times control means is configured to enable the image forming operation when the result of the determination by the number-of-times determining means indicates an odd number, for example. Further, as described in claim 15, for example, when the determination result by the number of times determining means indicates an even number, the image forming operation is enabled.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the reading means includes, for example, the reading sensor 18, and the first reading means and the second reading means include, for example, the reading sensor 18 provided on the holding member 20 and the reading sensor 18 provided separately. The first display means is, for example, the trademark logo label 23 attached to the trademark logo portion 43, and the second display means is, for example, the number display portion 44. The number of times display label 24 and the like, and the determination means, the control means, the number of times determination means, and the number of times control means are, for example, the CPU of the control device 35 and the memory device 3.
6 and the like, the processing means includes, for example, a writing device 19, and the consumption detecting means includes, for example, an ink-less sensor 38 and an ink consumption sensor 41.
Etc., and the mounting detection means includes, for example, a mounting detection sensor 42 or the like.

FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are exploded perspective views schematically showing the structure of the main part of the ink jet printer in one embodiment. The remaining components of the printer body are the same as those of the printer shown in FIG. Also, FIG.
The carriage 15 and the guide shaft 16 shown in (a) are
The structure is similar to that of the carriage 2 and the guide shaft 4 shown in FIG. 8, but the window hole 17 of the carriage 15 of FIG.
Is slightly different in size from the window hole 11 of the carriage 2 shown in FIG.

Further, the reading sensor 18 shown in FIG.
For example, the holding member 20 is formed of a CCD or the like and is not alone as in the logo reading sensor 12 of FIG.
And is attached to the frame of the printer body. This mounting position is omitted because the other configuration of the ink jet printer of this example is almost the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 8A, but the carriage 15 shown in FIG. It is arranged in the middle of the head standby position where the maintenance member 6 is shown in and the central portion which moves to attach and detach the ink cartridge. In addition, the writing device 1 described above
Reference numeral 9 is a heating device.

In addition, a black ink cartridge 21 and a color ink cartridge 22 shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b).
8 is similar to the black ink cartridge 7 and the color ink cartridge 8 shown in FIG. 8 in terms of overall size and internal configuration, but in this example, when the lower side surface configuration is shown in FIG. Different from That is, not only the trademark logo label 23 of the trademark logo “ABC” but also the side of the lower side of the black ink cartridge 21 and the color ink cartridge 22 shown in FIGS. A number display label 24 for displaying the number of times is attached.

In this example, the number-of-times display label 24 is also made of a heat-sensitive medium like the trademark logo label 23, and is colored by applying heat to the writing device 19.
In this example, the reading sensor 1
Any number of colors may be used depending on the combination with 8.

The trademark logo label 23 and the number-of-times display label 24 are exposed to the outside through the window hole 17 when the ink cartridges 21 and 22 are mounted on the carriage 15. In FIG. 1A, since the black ink cartridge 21 is mounted on the black cartridge mounting portion 25 of the carriage 15, its window hole 1
The trademark logo label 23 and the number-of-times display label 24 of the black ink cartridge 21 can be seen from FIG. 7, and the color ink cartridge 22 shown in FIG.
When mounted in the color cartridge mounting portion 26 of No. 5, similarly, the trademark logo label 23 and the number display label 24 of the color ink cartridge 22 can be seen through the open window hole 17 shown in FIG. 1 (a). It is like this.

In the ink jet printer and the ink cartridge of this embodiment, the ink cartridge can be reused by injecting the replenishing ink provided by the proper device manufacturer into the ink cartridge which is out of ink.
However, even if the genuine ink is provided by a legitimate device manufacturer, if it is used over its original life while replenishing the empty ink cartridge with ink, ink may stick to the internal ink holding member. May cause malfunctions. Also, when ink is replenished in the room where the user lives, it is easy for dust to enter the ink,
When this is repeated, the dust may be deposited inside the ink cartridge and cause a problem.
Therefore, even though the ink cartridge can be reused by replenishing the ink, it cannot be used endlessly.

Therefore, by setting an appropriate replenishment frequency,
It is necessary to set a limit so that no more supplements can be made. Otherwise, troubles such as deterioration of image quality can be prevented, the credibility of the device manufacturer can be maintained, and a user-friendly playback system that is easy to use has a problem and a system that is unreliable is unnecessary. Become.

FIG. 2 (a) is a perspective view showing an ink replenishing set for replenishing ink repeatedly within an appropriately set replenishment frequency, and FIG. 2 (b) is an example of the ink replenishing method. FIG. As shown in (a) of the figure, the ink replenishment set 27 is a replacement replacement trademark with a legitimate trademark logo on an ink replenishment bottle 28 containing ink provided by a legitimate device manufacturer. The illustrated replacement replacement label 29 is included and configured.

In the ink refill bottle 28, the bottle body 31 is composed of a cylindrical bellows, and the injection nozzle 3 is provided on the upper portion.
2 and the tip of the injection nozzle 32 is always cap 33
It is sealed with. In this ink replenishment bottle 28,
The depleted ink cartridge contains enough ink to replenish it about once to three times.

The label for replacement and replacement 29 included in the label is a sticker paper made of a thermal recording paper, and the trademark logo "ABC" for reading is displayed on the front surface and the adhesive label on the back surface. The agent is applied, and release paper is stuck on the adhesive. The number of labels for replacement and replacement 29 is prepared at least as many times as the number of times that the ink replenishment bottle 28 can replenish ink to the ink cartridge that has run out of ink. Of course, as a spare, once or twice
You may make it attach a large number of sheets.

When ink is replenished to the ink cartridge that has run out of ink using this ink replenishment set 27, as shown in FIG. 7B, the ink cartridge 21 that runs out of ink (in the example shown in FIG. 1) is placed on an appropriate table such as a desk so that the bottom ink supply port 34, which cannot be seen in the shade in FIG. Insert the tip of the injection nozzle 32 from which the cap 33 of 28 has been removed into the ink supply port 34, and push the bottom of the bellows-shaped bottle body 31 (the upper side in FIG. 1B) to push the ink inside. Inject into the cartridge 21.

At this time, it may be before the ink is injected or after the ink is injected. In any case, be careful not to stain the surrounding ink or the like with the attached replacement replacement label 29. One sheet is taken out, the release paper on the back side is peeled off from the adhesive surface, and is stuck on the old trademark logo label 23 on the lower side surface of the ink cartridge 21 or on the trace removed and removed. When replenishing ink like this,
As will be described later in detail, the old trademark logo “ABC” is already painted black on a solid surface, and the label 24 for displaying the number of times next to the old trademark logo indicates at least one number of times (vertical in this example. The black line) is displayed.

In this example, the printing operation is controlled while reading the trademark logo display of "ABC" of the trademark logo label 23 and the count display of the count display label 24. Figure 3
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a control device that performs such print control. The control device 35 shown in FIG.
In this example, it is mounted on the circuit board of the electrical component section of the printer body, which is not shown. The control device 35 includes a controller unit and an engine unit, which are not particularly shown.

A CPU is arranged in the controller section, and a memory device 36 is built therein. The memory device 36 stores a program for processing in one embodiment described later, a modified example thereof, or a further modified example, an area for storing the number of times of ink cartridge replacement, an area for temporarily storing data during processing of the CPU, and the like. Is provided. The CPU controls the overall configuration of the printer body according to the OS and the processing program.

Further, the print data 37 is input to the controller unit from an external device such as a personal computer, and the detection outputs of the reading sensor 18 and the ink-less sensor 38 are input. The reading sensor 18 reads not only the trademark logo label 23 of the ink cartridges 21 and 22 but also the count display of the count display label 24, and notifies the controller unit of the read data.

The no-ink sensor 38 is configured to detect the amount of ink in the ink cartridge, for example, optically or electrically, and reduces the amount of ink in the ink cartridge to an extremely small amount before printing becomes impossible. It is detected that the detection signal is sent to the controller unit.
The CPU of the controller unit controls the engine unit based on the read data and the detection signal input from the read sensor 18 and the ink-less sensor 38.

Under the control of the controller unit, the engine unit controls the heat generation drive of the writing device 19, and further, the drive output to the power drive unit such as the carriage moving motor and the paper conveying motor and the print head. The drive output to the process load 39 such as the output of the print drive voltage to the.

An ink consumption sensor 41 shown by a broken line in FIG.
Is a sensor that is additionally provided to the above-described configuration when the control method according to the modified example of the embodiment is carried out, which will be described later in detail. The mounting detection sensor 42, which is also indicated by the broken line, is a sensor that is additionally provided to the configuration indicated by the solid line in carrying out the control method of the further modified example, and will also be described in detail later. .

4 (a) to 4 (g) show that the trademark logo label 23 and the number-of-times display label 24 of the ink cartridge 21 or 22 mounted on the ink jet printer having the above-mentioned structure are used for ink replenishment. It is a figure which shows the state which changes whenever it takes out from a mounting part. Ink cartridge 21 (or 2) in the manufacturing plant
(2, the same applies to the following), the trademark logo portion 43 and the number-of-times display portion 44 on the lower side surface of the same as shown in FIG.
There is nothing in the trademark logo 43.
The "C" trademark logo label 23 is attached, and the number-of-times display section 44 is displayed.
An unmarked number display label 24 is attached to the label, as shown in FIG.
It will be shipped to the market in the condition shown in.

That is, in a new ink cartridge, only the trademark logo "ABC" is displayed as a label on the trademark logo portion 43, and nothing is displayed on the number-of-times display label 24 capable of recording the number of times of ink replenishment. It has not been. Then, when this ink cartridge is attached to the ink jet printer and the ink out sensor 38 detects that the ink has been consumed and the ink has run out, before the ink cartridge is taken out from the ink jet printer, FIG. As shown in trademark logo "ABC"
The displayed trademark logo label 23 is filled in by the writing device 19 (that is, colored by heating) and displayed in one black color on one surface. The unprinted number-of-times display label 24 is also written by the writing device 19 (coloring) to display one vertical black line.

This ink cartridge is taken out from the ink jet printer, the ink is replenished by the user by the ink replenishing set 27 described above, and the attached replacement sticking label 29 is stuck to the trademark logo portion 43, as shown in FIG. It is regenerated as shown in (d) and then used again by being attached to the inkjet printer.

Then, the ink is consumed again and the ink runs out, and before the ink is taken out from the ink jet printer, the trademark logo label 23 of the trademark logo "ABC" is black 1 by the writing device 19 as shown in FIG. It is filled in with a color, and one black line in the vertical direction is additionally written on the label 24 for displaying the number of times by the writing device 19 side by side.

Also here, the ink cartridge is taken out from the ink jet printer, the ink is replenished with the ink replenishment set 27, and the remaining replacement replacement label 29 in the same package is attached to the trademark logo portion 43. After the ink is replenished for the fifth time, the recycled ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet printer and used again. After the fifth ink replenishment, as shown in FIG. The black line is written on the inkjet printer.

Next, when the ink has run out, the five black lines written on the number-of-times display label 24 are read, and it is determined that the number-of-times information read is 5 times. As shown in (g), the replacement replacement label 29
Is filled with one black color, and the number display label 24
Is also filled with one black color.

As a result, even if this ink cartridge is replenished with another ink and the trademark logo label of black one color is replaced with a regular label, it is recognized that the label 24 for displaying the number of times is one black color. Therefore, printing cannot be performed. The reading of the trademark logo portion 43 and the display of the number-of-times display 44 by the reading sensor 18 is performed while the carriage 15 is moving from the central portion of the apparatus in which the ink cartridge is mounted to the head standby position where the maintenance member is provided. Trademark logo part 4 by device 19
The process of filling 3 or adding or painting a black line to the number-of-times display 44 is performed while the carriage 15 is moving to the central portion of the apparatus in order to remove the ink cartridge from the head standby position.

There are various methods of recognizing and writing the trademark logo label 23 and the number-of-times display label 24 and controlling the ink jet printer based on the recognition. First, in this embodiment, the simplest method is used for control. This will be described below. FIG. 5 shows, in this embodiment,
4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control process performed by the control device shown in FIG. First, turn on the power switch on the operation panel of the printer (not shown),
The printer body is put into operation (step S1). Next, the logo of the trademark logo label 23 is read by the reading sensor 18, and the logo is registered as a regular character "A".
It is determined whether it is "BC" (step S2).

When the read logo is not a regular logo, for example, a logo other than the regular characters "ABC",
Alternatively, as described later, when the trademark logo label 23 is entirely colored (S2 is N), in this case, the process immediately proceeds to the process of step S11, that is, the not ready state, that is, the state where the power is simply turned on. However, that state is maintained and printing cannot be executed.

On the other hand, when the read logo is a legitimate logo (S2 is Y), it is subsequently determined whether or not the black ink cartridge 21 or the color ink cartridge 22 has reached the end of its life ( Step S3). In this process, the reading sensor 18 reads the frequency information of the frequency display label 24 of the frequency display unit 44, and the read frequency information is displayed on the entire surface like the frequency display label 24 shown in FIG. 4 (g). It is judged whether the color is developed. When the number-of-times information of the number-of-times display label 24 is full-colored like the number-of-times display label 24 shown in FIG. 4 (g), the prescribed number of times, for example, five times of ink replenishment has already been completed, and therefore, , The ink cartridge 21 or 22
Indicates that the ink cartridge has reached the end of its life, that is, the ink cartridge 21 or 22 cannot be reused (Y in S3). In this case as well, the process immediately shifts to the not ready process in step S11.

On the other hand, if the frequency information of the frequency display label 24 is not entirely colored, the ink cartridge 21 or 22 has not reached the end of its service life, that is, can be reused by supplementing the ink. (S3 is N), and in that case, the read state, that is, the history, that is, the number of black lines is stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 38 (step S4). In this process, for example, 0 in the case of FIG. 4 (b), 1 in the case of FIG. 4 (d), and FIG. 4 (f)
In the case of, the number of times information of 5 is stored in the memory 38.

Following the above, the printer main body is set to the print ready state, that is, each unit is set to the print standby state (step S5), and it is determined whether print data is input from an external device (step S6). If print data has not been input (N in S6), the process returns to step S2 and steps S2 to S6 are repeated.

That is, in the non-printing state, the process always returns to step S2, and the ink cartridges 21 and 22 are
It is confirmed that the trademark logo of the trademark logo label 23 of is a regular trademark logo “ABC”. As a result, in the non-printing state, when the carriage is pulled out from the standby position and the ink cartridge 21 or 22 is replaced with an irregular ink cartridge, the determination in step S2 is N and the process proceeds to step S11. Printing cannot be executed because the processing is changed.

On the other hand, when print data is input (S6
Is Y), printing based on the print data is executed (step S7), and it is determined whether or not ink is out by the ink out sensor 38 (step S8). If there is ink in both the ink cartridges 21 and 22 (S8
Is N), the process returns to step S2 and steps S2 to S8 are repeated.

Then, by repeating the printing, the ink in at least one of the ink cartridges 21 and 22 is exhausted, and the "no ink" sensor 38 detects "no ink" (S8 is Y). In this way, when the ink-out is detected, in this example, for example, the ink-out notification lamp is displayed in a blinking manner, or the notification display such as “ink-free” is displayed on the display device such as a liquid crystal display. Notification is given. This allows the user to know when to replace the ink cartridge.

When the user presses the ink cartridge replacement button on the operation panel (not shown) to replace the ink cartridge in accordance with this ink-out notification, the carriage on which the ink cartridge is mounted causes the carriage in which the maintenance member is arranged to move to the head standby position ( 8), the movement is started to the ink cartridge exchange position in the center of the main body.
During this movement, the trademark logo label 23 is entirely colored by heating by the writing device 19 (step S
9). As a result, for example, like the trademark logo label 23 shown in FIG. 4 (c) and the replacement sticker label 29 shown in FIG. 4 (e) or FIG. 4 (g), the trademark logo label 43 is entirely colored. It

Therefore, the ink cartridge 21 or 22 that has run out of ink is reused unless the label logo for which the color is developed on the entire surface is peeled off or laminated as it is and a new replacement replacement label 29 is applied. I can't do it. While the carriage is moving,
Further, following the processing of step S9, the writing device 19
By heating at an appropriate timing by the
One black line is additionally colored on the label 24 for displaying the number of times (step S10). In this process, for example, FIG.
When the memory 38 stores the number of times of "0" as in the case where a new ink cartridge is installed, as shown in FIG. A black line is added to a blank area, and information on the number of times is displayed for the entire line.

In the case where the memory 38 stores the information on the number of times "1", as in the case of the ink cartridge mounted after the first ink replenishment shown in FIG. As shown in (e) of FIG.
, A new one is added to the previous count display (one in this example), and a total of two count information is displayed. Also, the same figure
As in the case of the ink cartridge that was installed after the fifth final ink replenishment as in (f),
If the number information of “book” is stored, as shown in FIG. 9G, the label 24 for displaying the number of colors is not entirely added but the entire surface is colored. Then, after that, the process proceeds to step S11 to stop the printing execution. Trademark logo label 2
The process of adding one black line to the color development and number display label 24 of No. 3, regardless of the operation of the ink cartridge exchange button,
It may be automatically performed based on the detection of "no ink" by the no ink sensor 38.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, each time the ink cartridge runs out of ink, before the ink cartridge that runs out of ink is taken out, the trademark logo label 23 (or replacement replacement label) displaying the trademark logo is displayed. The label 29) is colored entirely, and the ink cartridge cannot be reused unless it is replaced with the replacement replacement label 29 included in the regular replenishment ink unit. The number-of-times display label 24 is additionally colored with a number-of-times display line, and when the number of times exceeds a predetermined number of times, the entire surface is colored so that the label cannot be reused even if it is replaced with the regular replacement-and-placement label 29.

This is convenient because the user can replenish the ink with a regular ink up to a predetermined number of times according to the life of the ink cartridge, and with the non-regular ink, the replacement replacement label 29 is included. Since it cannot be replenished because it is not a trademark (if it is included in the package, it is a trademark violation), problems such as defective printing due to defective ink can be solved, and even regular ink can be used at the number of times depending on the life of the ink cartridge. Since the replenishment of the ink is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the trouble caused by using the ink cartridge whose life has expired and maintain the reliability of the printer.

Next, the operation of the modified example of the control processing performed by the control device 35 will be described. In this modified example, the ink replenishing set 27 is the same as that in the case of FIG. 2, and the printer main body is substantially the same as that of the case of FIG. 1 including parts not shown. However, in the control device 35 shown in FIG. 3, the ink consumption sensor 41 shown by the broken line is added to the component shown by the solid line.

While the above-described ink-absence sensor 38 detects "ink-absence" when the ink amount in the ink cartridge 21 or 22 is reduced to an unprintable state, the ink consumption sensor 41 in this modification is The ink consumption of each of the ink cartridges 21 and 22 is detected from a state that the ink is full to the time when the ink-less sensor 38 detects that the ink is absent. For example, it is possible to detect a state in which the state is slightly reduced from the full state, a state in which the state is reduced to 1/2, or a state immediately before the detection operation of the ink out sensor 38 is detected. good.

However, here, it is preferable to detect the "ink consumption" at the time when the ink is consumed even from the full ink state, and in this modification, the control process is executed based on the setting. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control process performed by the control device in this modification. In the figure, step S101
The processing of S and S102 is the same as the processing of steps S1 and S2 of the processing of FIG. 5, and also the processing of step S10 of FIG.
The processing of 4 to S111 is the same as the processing of steps S4 to S of FIG.
This is the same as the processing of 11. That is, in the process shown in FIG. 6, only the processes of steps S103 and S112 to S118 are different from the process of FIG.

First, in step S103 of FIG.
In the same manner as the above, the reading sensor 18 uses the number display label 24.
It is determined whether or not the number of times display obtained by reading indicates that the ink cartridge has reached the end of its life and cannot be reused. Then, in this step S103, when the number-of-times display label 24 is fully colored (Y in S103), the process shifts to step S111 and becomes not ready and printing cannot be performed, as in the case of FIG. It is the same. In this modification, it is further determined in step S114 whether the number of black lines on the number-of-times display label 24 is an odd number or an even number, and if it is an odd number (Y in S114), step S115.
If it is an even number (S114 is N), the process proceeds to step S116 to check the state of the flag. The operation of the flag will be described later. In this example, in step S114, "0" is processed as an even number.

Next, in step S112, it is determined by the ink consumption sensor 41 that the ink has been consumed. The detection of ink consumption by the ink consumption sensor 41 is detected not by a level trigger but by an edge trigger (falling edge of the detection waveform). That is, the ink consumption sensor 41 outputs only when it detects that the preset ink consumption amount is exceeded, and once the ink consumption is detected, even if the ink is further consumed and decreases, The ink consumption sensor 41 no longer operates. That is, the determination result of step S112 is "Y".
Not always, but always "N".

When it is detected that the preset ink consumption amount has been exceeded, the flag is set to "1" in step S117.
Set. That is, the state where the flag is "1" indicates that the ink has been consumed, and the state of the flag is maintained even when the power of the apparatus main body is turned off. Then, in step S113, when the ink consumption sensor 41 detects the ink consumption by the edge trigger as described above and the determination in step S112 is “Y”, the number of times display label 24 is the same as the processing in step S110. Add one to the current number of to develop the color. And after that,
Since the determination in step S112 is always "N" as described above, the color development processing in step S113 is not performed.

As a result, for example, the number display label 24
If a new ink cartridge 21 or 22 in which no color is generated is attached and the ink is consumed even a little, the determination in step S112 becomes “Y”, and therefore the number display label 24 in step S113. A black line is colored.

Therefore, if, in this state, no ink is detected before the ink cartridge is removed and ink is replenished, when the ink cartridge is mounted, step S114 is performed.
Then, one black line (that is, an odd number) is detected, the determination result is "Y", and the flag is "1" in step S115, so step S115 is "Y" and printing is possible, but ink Is consumed even a little, the determination in step S112 becomes “Y”, and step S113
Then, one black line is added to the number-of-times display label 24 to make two.

In this state, the next step S114 is "N" because there are two black lines (even number), and the determination is "Y" because the flag is "1" at step S116.
As a result, the process proceeds to step S111 and becomes not ready, and printing cannot be performed. That is, printing is possible immediately after the ink is replenished on the way, but printing is impossible if the ink is consumed even a little.

The above process is performed regardless of whether the ink refilled in the middle is genuine or not. Therefore, after the ink cartridge full of ink is mounted, the ink out sensor 38 detects that there is no ink. It is necessary to use up the ink until it is told. Otherwise, just replenishing the ink on the way, the ink cartridge which may still be usable cannot be used thereafter.

On the other hand, when one black line is colored in step S112 as described above and ink is used to the end as it is, one more black line is colored in step S110, resulting in a total of two black lines. At this time, the flag is reset to "0" in step S118. That is, the flag becomes "0" when used until the ink is normally used up. In this state, the ink is replenished, the replacement sticker label 29 is attached, and when this ink cartridge is mounted, the two black lines (that is, an even number) are detected in step S114 (“N” in step S114). )), Step S1
In the case of 16, the flag is "0", so it becomes "N" and normal printing can be performed.

As described above, according to the present invention, not only genuine ink but also genuine ink, but if genuine ink is replenished during the process, the ink cartridge becomes unusable. As a result, it is possible to prevent the replenishment of ink before the detection of "no ink". That is, as a result, it is possible to prevent the replenishment of the illegal ink.

To summarize the main points of the above operation, when the ink cartridge is removed during the time when the ink is used beyond the preset consumption amount and the absence of the ink is detected, the black line of the number-of-times display label 24 becomes It becomes an odd number, and the flag is in the state of "1". Even if the cartridge is replenished with ink and re-installed, printing becomes impossible when the consumption amount is reduced to a preset value.

On the other hand, if the ink is used up until the absence of ink is detected, the black line of the number-of-times display label 24 becomes an even number and the flag becomes "0". By refilling the cartridge with ink and attaching the replacement label 29, the ink can be replenished and used a prescribed number of times.

If the flag is "0", that is, the ink cartridge is used normally until the ink runs out, and then the ink cartridge removed in the middle (that is, the ink cartridge having the odd number of black lines printed) is mounted, the step S115 is executed. It becomes "N", and the use can be immediately prohibited.

When using genuine ink,
If there is no ink and the display of "cartridge check" or "cartridge replacement" appears in the process of not ready in step S111, if the ink cartridge is removed from the mounting portion at that time and ink is replenished. It is good, and it is not necessary to refill the ink on the way.

Next, the operation of a further modified example of the control processing performed by the control device 35 will be described. In this further modification, the ink replenishment set 27 is the same as in the case of FIG. 2, and the printer body is substantially the same as the case of FIG. 1 including the parts not shown. However,
In the control device 35 shown in FIG. 3, the mounting detection sensor 42 shown by the broken line is added to the components shown by the solid line.

This mounting detection sensor 42 is used when the black ink cartridge 21 is mounted in the black cartridge mounting portion 25 or the color ink cartridge 22 is mounted in the color cartridge mounting portion 26 after the printer main body is powered on. When the ink cartridge is attached to the ink cartridge, the attachment is detected respectively. When the power is turned on, the ink cartridge is not detected when the ink cartridge is already attached.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the control processing performed by the control device in this further modification. In FIG. 7, steps S201 and S2
04 and steps S206 to S213 are the same as steps S1, S2, and S4 to S11 in FIG. 5, and steps S202, S203, and S20 in FIG.
5 and the point of returning to the print ready process of step S207 after the detection of the absence of ink in step S210 is different from the case of FIG.

In FIG. 7, after the printer main body is powered on in step S201, in step S202,
After turning on the power, check that the ink cartridge is installed,
It is detected by the mounting detection sensor 42. Also in this case, the detection of the ink cartridge mounting by the mounting detection sensor 42 is detected not by the level trigger but by the edge trigger (in this case, the rising edge of the detection waveform). Therefore, once detected, the detection output will always be N during continuous mounting.

When the mounting of the ink cartridge is detected in step S202 (Y in S202), the number of black lines which have already been colored on the label 24 for displaying the number of times of the mounted ink cartridge is read by the reading sensor. In step 18, the detection result is detected in step S2.
In 03, one black line is additionally colored. For example, when a new ink cartridge is attached, one black line is added to the detection result of "0" lines, that is, one black line is colored as a whole. On the other hand, if the ink cartridge is already mounted when the power is turned on, the mounting detection sensor 42 does not detect the ink cartridge as described above (S
202 is N), and there is no additional color development for one black line.

In step S204, as in the case of FIG. 5, the reading sensor 18 reads the number-of-times display label 24, and when the number-of-times display label 24 is fully colored (Y in S205), the process proceeds to step S213. However, the fact that printing becomes not ready and printing is impossible is the same as in the case of FIG. 5, but in this further modification, it is also determined whether the number of black lines of the number-of-times display label 24 is an odd number or an even number, If it is an even number, the determination result is “Y” (Y in S205),
The process proceeds to step S213 and becomes not ready, and printing cannot be performed. On the other hand, if it is an odd number (S205
Is N), the subsequent processing is continued from step S206. The reason for this will be described later.

When the process of steps S207 to S210 is repeated and the process of the ink out sensor 38 detects the ink out in step S210, the process after step S206 is repeated as in the case of FIG.
In step 211, the trademark logo label 23 is entirely colored by heating by the writing device 19, and in step S212, one black line is additionally colored in the number display label 24 of the number display unit 44 by heating by the writing device 19 as well.

That is, when a new ink cartridge is normally used and no ink is left, the black line displayed on the number-of-times display label 24 is one that has developed color in step S203 and is added in step S212. It is 2 in total, which is one color developed. In this state, when the ink cartridge that has run out of ink is replenished with genuine product ink and reattached to the attachment portion, one more additional color is generated in step S203, and the total number of labels on the number of times display label 24 is three. An (odd) black line will be displayed.
Since the determination of 205 is “N”, step S206
After that, normal use becomes possible.

When "no ink" is detected, one black line is again colored in step S212. Therefore, when this ink cartridge is taken out from the mounting portion for ink replenishment, an even number of black lines is drawn. Is colored. That is, if the ink cartridge is used normally regardless of whether it is new or reused, even when the ink cartridge is taken out based on the detection of "no ink", the even number black line is always colored on the number-of-times display label 24. There is. Therefore, the genuine trademark logo label 23 should be replenished with genuine ink.
After attaching and re-attaching to the mounting portion, one additional color is added in step S203, an odd number of black lines are displayed, and normal use can be performed after the determination in step S205. ing.

Thus, regardless of whether the ink cartridge is new or reused, if the ink cartridge is removed before "no ink" is detected during normal use of the ink cartridge, the number of times the ink cartridge is used The display label 24 has an odd number of black lines. When ink is replenished in this ink cartridge and the ink cartridge is reattached to the mounting portion, one black line is further colored in step S203, so that the number of black lines is even. This is checked in step S205 and the determination result is "Y", and the not ready process of step S213 results in no printing. That is, even before the "ink-free" is detected in step S210, if ink is replenished during the process, the ink cartridge cannot be used.

As described above, also in this further modification, if the ink is replenished halfway before the detection of "no ink" regardless of whether it is a genuine product or an unauthorized product, the ink cartridge becomes unusable, resulting in a result. Illegal ink cannot be used. Also in this case, when genuine ink is used, it is sufficient to take out the ink cartridge from the mounting portion and replenish the ink after "no ink" has been reached. Since it is not necessary, there is no problem for the user.

In each of the above-described first, second and third embodiments, all of the trademark logo label 23 (including the replacement replacement label 29) and the number-of-times display label 24 are heat-sensitive to be colored by applying heat. Although it is composed of a medium, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an electrically conductive recording medium that develops color when energized, or a discharge recording medium that develops color when discharged.

Further, the trademark logo label 23 and the number-of-times display label 24 are not made to be recording media which have the same function, but the recording media having the above-mentioned three coloring functions are combined with different coloring functions. You may use it. It is more useful to prevent unauthorized modification.

Further, when the labels having different coloring functions are used in combination on the ink cartridge side,
Even on the inkjet printer side, the writing device
A heat generating device that applies heat is used for a heat-sensitive medium that develops color when heat is applied, an energizing device that applies a voltage is used for an energizing recording medium that develops color when energized, and a discharge recording medium that develops color by discharging is discharged. It may be configured to use a discharge device.

[0097]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, not only the trademark logo but also the number of times the ink cartridge is attached and detached is displayed on the ink cartridge. By recognizing on the side, it is possible to eliminate illegal ink replenishment for a legitimate ink cartridge, and it is possible to replenish ink multiple times using a legitimate ink replenishment set using a legitimate ink cartridge. By this, we can deal with the problem of environmental protection that refuse is not discharged as much as possible,
There is no risk of causing problems such as deterioration of product image quality due to unauthorized use of consumables, and the credibility of the device manufacturer can be maintained.
Moreover, it is possible to provide an ink cartridge and a printer using the ink cartridge, which provides a user-friendly environment in which the ink can be easily replenished a plurality of times.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are exploded perspective views schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an ink replenishment set for replenishing ink repeatedly within a set number of replenishments.
(b) is a figure which shows an example of the ink replenishment method.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a control device that performs print control of the inkjet printer.

FIGS. 4A to 4G are diagrams showing a transition of display of a trademark logo label and a label for displaying the number of times in an ink cartridge mounted in an inkjet printer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control process performed by a control device in the inkjet printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a modified example of the control process performed by the control device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a further modified example of the control processing performed by the control device.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a conventional printer that prevents a problem of unauthorized use, and FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view of a main part thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 print head 2 carriage 3 Platen 4 Guide shaft 5 sheets 6 maintenance parts 7 Black ink cartridge Ink cartridge for 8 colors 9 labels 11 window holes 12 Logo reading sensor 15 carriage 16 Guide shaft 17 windows 18 Reading sensor 19 Writing device 20 Holding member 21 Black ink cartridge 22 color ink cartridges 23 Trademark logo label 24 times label 25 Black cartridge mounting part 26 color cartridge mounting part 27 Ink supply set 28 Ink supply bottle 29 Labels for replacement and replacement 31 Bottle body 32 injection nozzle 33 caps 34 Ink supply port 35 Control device 36 memory devices 37 print data 38 No ink sensor 39 Process load 41 Ink consumption sensor 42 Attachment detection sensor 43 Trademark logo 44 Time display

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 21/00 510 B41J 3/04 102Z 560 29/00 BF term (reference) 2C056 EA19 EA29 EB02 EB20 EB44 EB51 EB52 EC19 EC26 EC67 HA58 KC01 KC30 KD08 2C061 AQ05 AQ06 BB37 CF05 CQ34 HJ10 HK11 HK13 2H027 GA03 GA27 GA46 GA47 GA53 HA02 HA03 HA08 HA12 HB05 HB13 HB14 2H134 NA22 NA24 NA28 NA44 NA46

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A consumable unit that is configured to be detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, containing a consumable item that is consumed by image formation, and is made of a material that cannot be read by the application of energy from the outside. A first display means for displaying a specific pattern representing a trademark for permitting printing when it is read by the reading means and determined to be a predetermined pattern, and the number of replenishment of consumables is recorded, A second display means for displaying the recorded state, and a consumable unit. 2. The consumable unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second display means is a heat-sensitive medium that develops a color when heat is applied. 3. The consumable unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second display means is an electrically conductive recording medium that develops color when energized. 4. The consumable unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second display means is a discharge recording medium that develops color by discharge. 5. A first display means for incorporating a consumable product consumed by image formation, displaying a specific pattern representing a trademark, and a second display means for recording the replenishment frequency of the consumable product and displaying the recorded state. An image forming apparatus in which the display of the display means is detachably mounted with a consumable unit provided so as to be unreadable by the application of energy from the outside, and the specific pattern of the first display means And reading means for reading the frequency information recorded on the second display means, and judging means for judging whether or not the specific pattern read by the reading means is a predetermined pattern. The control unit that enables the image forming operation only when the result of the determination by the determination unit is a predetermined pattern, and the second display unit read by the reading unit. The number of times determination means for determining whether or not the information on the number of times indicates a predetermined number of times, and an image forming operation is possible when the result of the determination by the number of times determination means is less than or equal to the predetermined number of times. And an image forming apparatus comprising: 6. The reading means comprises a first reading means for reading the specific pattern of the first display means and a second reading means for reading the frequency information recorded on the second display means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided. 7. A processing means for making the specific pattern of the first display means unreadable and a consumption detecting means for detecting consumption of the consumable item are further provided, and the control means is configured to operate by the consumption detecting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit is operated when consumption of the consumable item is detected. 8. The processing means is configured to give a predetermined number of times information to the second display means, and the number of times control means performs the processing when the consumption detecting means detects consumption of the consumable item. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means is operated. 9. A mounting detection unit for detecting mounting of the consumable item is further provided, and the control unit sets the specific pattern of the first display unit when the mounting detection unit detects mounting of the consumable item. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing means is operated so as to make it unreadable. 10. The number-of-times control means operates the processing means to give a predetermined number of times information to the second display means when the mounting detection means detects mounting of the consumable item. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. 11. The processing means comprises a heat generating device for applying heat to at least one of the first display means and the second display means.
Or the image forming apparatus according to item 10. 12. The processing means comprises an energizing device for applying a voltage to at least one of the first display means and the second display means. Image forming apparatus. 13. The processing means comprises a discharge device for discharging at least one of the first display means and the second display means.
The image forming apparatus described. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the number-of-times control means enables the image forming operation when the determination result of the number-of-times determination means indicates an odd number. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the number-of-times control unit enables the image forming operation when the determination result of the number-of-times determination unit indicates an even number.