JP2004066616A - Printer and method for detecting ink remaining amount - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which can display an ink remaining amount in a state of the halfway to an ink end while using ink included in an ink cartridge without wasting the same. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 1 has a printing head 50, an ink pump 62, an ink tank 11, an ink end detecting part 20 and a control part 80 with an ink remaining amount detecting part 90. The ink remaining amount detecting part 90 includes an ink consumption amount reference table 91 for specifying an ink consumption amount reference value per unit of the printing head 50 and ink pump 62, a counting part 92 for counting the number of driving times of the printing head 50 and ink pump 62, and an operation part 93 for calculating an ink consumption amount on the basis of the ink consumption amount reference table 91 and a counted value by the counting part 92, and calculating the ink remaining amount on the basis of this ink consumption amount and a preliminarily set initial value of the ink remaining amount. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink cartridge applied to, for example, an ink jet printer, and in particular, detects a state in which the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge is small (hereinafter, referred to as “ink end” in the present application). About technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, an ink jet printer uses an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is configured to supply a constant amount of ink to a print head from an ink impregnated body in an ink tank.
[0003]
By the way, conventionally, when detecting the remaining amount of the ink contained in the ink impregnated body, the consumption amount of the ink ejected from the print head at the time of printing and the print head at the time of cleaning the nozzle clogging. The consumed ink consumption is calculated by software, and the number of these times is counted to detect (estimate) the remaining amount of ink.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a conventional method for detecting the remaining amount of ink is only an estimation and does not detect the true amount of consumed ink, and therefore cannot accurately detect the remaining amount of ink.
[0005]
As a result, in the case of the prior art, since it is necessary to provide a margin for the estimated ink consumption, an ink tank capable of storing an ink amount larger than the actually consumed ink amount must be used, and However, there is a problem that the remaining ink is wasted.
[0006]
Therefore, in recent years, a technique for detecting the ink end in the ink tank by hardware has been developed.
[0007]
However, such a conventional technique has a problem that the ink cartridge must be replaced at an unexpected time because the remaining amount of the ink before the ink is exhausted cannot be detected.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to enable the ink contained in an ink cartridge to be used without waste and to reduce the state of the ink cartridge until the ink is exhausted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer capable of displaying the remaining ink amount in the printer.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention made in order to achieve the above object is a printer that performs printing using an exchangeable ink cartridge having an ink tank for supplying ink to a print head that ejects predetermined ink droplets, An ink end detector that detects an end state of the ink in the ink tank of the ink cartridge, and a control unit that has an ink remaining amount detecting unit that detects the remaining amount of the ink in the ink tank of the ink cartridge, A control unit having an ink remaining amount detecting unit, an ink consumption reference table that specifies an ink consumption reference value per unit of the ink consumption unit that consumes the ink, and a counting unit that counts the number of times the ink consumption unit is driven. Calculating the ink consumption based on the ink consumption reference table and the count value in the counting unit; It is characterized in that it has a calculation unit for calculating the amount of remaining ink based on the initial value of the order set ink remaining amount.
[0010]
In the present invention, the ink consuming unit may include the print head and an ink pump that sucks a predetermined amount of ink from the print head.
[0011]
In the present invention, the ink remaining amount detecting unit may further have a correction function of correcting the ink consumption reference table based on the ink consumption calculated by the calculation unit.
[0012]
On the other hand, the present invention relates to the ink remaining amount detecting method in the above-described printer, wherein an initial value of the ink remaining amount is set when the ink cartridge is mounted, and the ink consumption is set based on the set initial value of the ink remaining amount. The result obtained by sequentially subtracting the ink consumption amount calculated based on the ink consumption amount reference value per unit of the ink consumption unit in the ink consumption unit and the number of times of driving of the ink consumption unit is referred to as the ink remaining amount at that time. The amount of the ink is determined, and the end state of the ink in the ink tank of the ink cartridge is determined based on the result detected by the ink end detector.
[0013]
In the present invention, the ink consuming unit is the print head, an ink pump that sucks a predetermined amount of ink from the print head, and an ink consumption reference value per unit of the print head and the ink pump. Alternatively, the result obtained by sequentially subtracting the ink consumption calculated based on the number of times the print head and the ink pump are driven may be used as the remaining ink amount at that time.
[0014]
Further, in the present invention, the amount of ink consumption from the time when the ink cartridge is mounted to the time when the ink end state is detected by the ink end detector is calculated, and based on the calculated amount of ink consumption, Thus, the initial value of the ink remaining amount can be corrected.
[0015]
Further, in the present invention, an ink consumption amount from when the ink cartridge is mounted to when the ink end state is detected by the ink end detector is calculated, and based on the calculated ink consumption amount, Thus, the reference value of the ink consumption per unit of the ink consuming unit in the ink consumption reference table can be corrected.
[0016]
According to the printer of the present invention having such a configuration, while the ink end state can be detected by the ink end detector, the ink end state is calculated by a predetermined initial value of the remaining ink amount and a predetermined parameter. Since the remaining ink amount is calculated based on the consumed ink amount, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining ink amount up to the ink end.
[0017]
Further, according to the present invention, since the ink-end state can be reliably detected by the ink-end detector, there is no need to provide a margin for the ink-tank capacity unlike the method of estimating the ink-end by software. In addition, the ink in the ink tank can be used effectively, and the size of the ink cartridge can be reduced.
[0018]
Further, in the present invention, an ink consumption amount from when the ink cartridge is mounted to when the ink end state is detected by the ink end detector is calculated, and based on the calculated ink consumption amount, If the configuration is such that the initial value of the ink remaining amount or the reference value of the ink consumption per unit of the ink consuming unit is corrected, the ink remaining amount of the new ink cartridge until the ink end is reached after the replacement of the ink cartridge can be further increased. It becomes possible to detect accurately.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a printer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the printer of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of the printer.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the printer 1 of the present embodiment performs printing by an ink jet method, and includes an ink supply unit 10, an ink end detection unit 20, a print head 50, and a maintenance mechanism unit 60. And a drive unit 70 of the maintenance mechanism 60.
[0022]
The ink supply unit 10 has an ink tank 11 mounted on a predetermined cartridge holder 10a. The ink supply unit 10 is configured such that when the ink tank 11 is unused and full of ink liquid is mounted in the cartridge holder 10a, a signal indicating that the ink tank 11 has been replaced is output from the cartridge sensor 10b. ing.
[0023]
The interior of the ink tank 11 is partitioned into an ink impregnation chamber 12, an ink liquid chamber 13, and a pressure adjustment chamber 14.
[0024]
An opening portion of the ink impregnation chamber 12 is closed by a tank cover 15, and the tank cover 15 is provided with a vent 16 for communicating a part of the ink impregnation chamber 12 to the atmosphere. I have.
[0025]
Inside the ink impregnation chamber 12, for example, an ink impregnation body 17 in which an ink liquid is impregnated into a polyurethane foam (porous substance) is accommodated.
[0026]
The ink liquid chamber 13 stores ink liquid in a space surrounded by a partition 13 a formed at the center bottom portion of the ink tank 11, and the first liquid is stored between the upper part of the partition 13 a and the ink impregnated body 17. With the filter 18 interposed, the filter 18 is separated from the ink impregnation chamber 12.
[0027]
Here, the first filter 18 is for filtering foreign substances in the ink liquid when the ink liquid passes from the ink impregnation chamber 12 to the ink liquid chamber 13. As the first filter 18, a filter obtained by weaving a fine stainless wire in a mesh shape is used.
[0028]
When the ink liquid and the gas are present on both sides of the first filter 18, a capillary attraction having a certain strength corresponding to the pore diameter of the mesh of the first filter is generated.
[0029]
The pressure adjustment chamber 14 is formed at a position adjacent to the ink liquid chamber 13 at the bottom of the ink tank 11. The pressure adjusting chamber 14 communicates with the ink liquid chamber 13 through a communication port 14 a provided in a partition 13 a of the ink liquid chamber 13, while a vent 14 b (see FIG. 1) provided on an outer wall of the ink tank 11. ) To communicate with the atmosphere side.
[0030]
A second filter 24 is attached to a portion of the pressure adjustment chamber 14 on the ink liquid chamber 13 side so as to close the communication port 14a.
[0031]
The second filter 24 is provided to adjust the pressure at which bubbles are introduced from the pressure adjustment chamber 14 to the ink liquid chamber 13 by using the capillary attraction generated by the filter 24.
[0032]
The second filter 24 is formed by weaving stainless fine wires in a mesh shape like the first filter 18, and uses a mesh having a larger diameter than the first filter 18.
[0033]
Therefore, the second filter 24 generates a capillary attraction smaller than that of the first filter 18.
[0034]
The pressure adjustment chamber 24 is provided with a valve mechanism 30 for opening and closing the ventilation port 14b of the ink tank 11. The valve mechanism 30 has a ring-shaped packing 31 that is mounted so as to seal the ventilation port 14b, and a valve member 32 that opens and closes an opening of the packing 31. The valve member 32 is urged against the packing 31 by a compression coil spring 33 provided in the pressure adjustment chamber 14.
[0035]
On the other hand, an operating lever 34 for moving the valve member 31 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 33 is provided outside the ink tank 11. The operation lever 34 is swingably supported about a support shaft 34a, and its operation is regulated by a drive cam mechanism 70 described later.
[0036]
The ink end detection unit 20 detects the light emission of the optical sensor 21 based on the difference in the reflectance of the surface of the prism 22 between the state where the prism 22 is immersed in the ink liquid and the state where air is exposed on the surface of the prism 22. In this structure, the presence or absence of the ink liquid in the ink liquid chamber 13 is detected by using the change in the amount of light that is emitted from the unit and reflects on the surface of the prism 22 and returns to the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 22.
[0037]
The air filled in the ink impregnated body 17 with the consumption of the ink liquid passes through the first filter 18 and the ink liquid chamber 13 is filled with air. When the difference is larger than the capillary attraction of the second filter 24, air flows into the ink liquid chamber 13 via the second filter 24, and the light is reflected when the reflection surface of the prism 22 is exposed from the ink liquid. The amount of light received by the sensor 21 increases, and the end of the ink liquid in the ink tank 11 is detected. A control unit (not shown) monitoring the signal change of the optical sensor 21 recognizes the end of the ink liquid.
[0038]
The print head 50 is arranged at the bottom of the ink tank 11. The print head 50 has a predetermined number of nozzles 51 for discharging ink droplets. The nozzle 51 of the print head 50 generates a sufficiently large capillary attraction than the first filter 18 and the second filter 24.
[0039]
The nozzle 51 of the print head 50 communicates with the ink liquid chamber 13 via a supply needle 53 sealed by a packing 52 at the bottom of the ink tank 11. Then, by applying a predetermined voltage to a pressure generating element (not shown) provided in the vicinity of each nozzle, ink droplets in the nozzle 51 are ejected.
[0040]
The maintenance mechanism 60 includes a head cap 61 and an ink pump 62. The head cap 61 is for sealing the print head 50 and is configured to move in a direction approaching or separating from the print head 50.
[0041]
The ink pump 62 is for sucking, for example, clogged ink liquid from the nozzles 51 of the print head 50, and moves the piston valve 64 fixed to the piston rod 63 in the cylinder 65 so that the pressure in the cylinder 65 is reduced. It is configured to reach a negative pressure greater than the capillary attraction of the first filter 18.
[0042]
The cylinder 65 of the ink pump 62 is attached to the head cap 61 together with the connection pipe 66. The cylinder 65 communicates with the space in the head cap 61 via a connection pipe 66, whereby the ink liquid is sucked from the print head 50 into the cylinder 65.
[0043]
The drive unit 70 operates both the above-described valve mechanism 30 and the ink pump 62 of the maintenance mechanism unit 60. A disc-shaped cam member 71 is supported by a support shaft 74, and the power is supplied from a drive motor 75. It is configured to rotate by receiving the rotation.
[0044]
An arc cam 72 is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the cam member 71 to be in contact with the cam follower 34b of the operation lever 34. The arc cam 72 has a large arc portion 72a having a radius required to move the operation lever 34 to the open position of the valve member 31, and a radius sufficient to move the operation lever 34 to the closed position of the valve member 31. Is formed so as to be smoothly connected to the small arc portion 72b having
[0045]
On the side surface of the cam member 71, a groove cam 73 is formed which engages with a cam follower 63a formed at the end of the piston rod 63. The groove cam 73 is formed in an arc shape with the operation groove portions 73a and 73c for reciprocating the piston rod 63 and the support shaft 74 as a center. It is formed so as to be smoothly connected to the non-operating groove portion 73b which is stopped at the position where ink is sucked from the nozzle 51).
[0046]
While the cam follower 63a of the piston rod 63 is engaged with the operation grooves 73a and 73c, the arc cam 72 and the groove cam 73 contact the large arc part 72a while the cam follower 34a of the operation lever 34 is in contact with the piston rod 63. While the cam follower 63a is engaged with the non-operating groove 73b, the cam follower 34a of the operating lever 34 is disposed so as to abut the small arc portion 72b.
[0047]
With such a configuration, the drive unit 70 opens the valve mechanism 30 without sucking the ink to both the valve mechanism 30 and the ink pump 62, and closes the valve mechanism 30 to suck the ink. And can be selected alternatively.
[0048]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the present embodiment.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 80 of the present embodiment has a CPU 81 connected to a bus 82 including an address, data, and control bus, and the bus 82 has a ROM and a RAM (not shown). The memory 83 is connected, and the print head 50, the drive motor 75 of the drive unit 70, the cartridge sensor 10b of the ink supply unit 10, and the optical sensor 21 of the ink end detector 20 are connected via a predetermined interface. ing.
[0050]
The control unit 80 according to the present embodiment has an ink remaining amount detection unit 90 described below as a function of the CPU when the program data is stored in the ROM of the memory in advance and the program data is loaded into the RAM when the power is turned on. ing.
[0051]
The remaining ink amount detection unit 90 includes an ink consumption amount reference table 91, a counting unit 92, and a calculation unit 93.
[0052]
The ink consumption reference table 91 defines an ink consumption reference value per unit of the print head 50 and the ink pump 62 that consume ink.
[0053]
The counting section 92 counts and stores the number of times the print head 50 and the ink pump 62 have been driven.
[0054]
Further, the calculation unit 93 calculates the ink consumption based on the ink consumption reference table 91 and the count value in the counting unit 92, and calculates the ink consumption and an initial value of a predetermined remaining ink amount (hereinafter, “initial ink amount”). The remaining amount of ink is calculated based on the “remaining amount”).
[0055]
The counters used in the present embodiment include a first ink end counter (IEC), an ink end counter flag (IECF), a second ink end counter (IEC2), an ink ejection counter (ITC), There are pump counters (PC), which are respectively assigned to predetermined addresses in the memory 83.
[0056]
Then, in the present embodiment, these counters are used to calculate the remaining ink amount as described later.
[0057]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a main process of the control unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a correction process of the control unit.
[0058]
Hereinafter, the method of the present embodiment will be described by taking a case where a new ink cartridge 20 is mounted as an example.
[0059]
First, in step 1 of FIG. 4, variables are initialized.
[0060]
Here, the initial ink remaining amount (for example, 5 × 109 units) is written to the ink end counter. This initial ink remaining amount indicates the amount of ink estimated to be usable.
[0061]
In addition, 0 value is written to each of the second ink end counter, the ink discharge counter, and the pump counter.
[0062]
On the other hand, the first reference value X, which is the reference value of the ink consumption of the print head 50, is set to, for example, 10 units.
[0063]
The second reference value Y, which is the reference value of the ink consumption of the ink pump 62, is set to, for example, 5 × 105 units / 0.1 second.
[0064]
Then, in Step 2, the initial ink remaining amount is subtracted by the exchange cleaning process.
[0065]
In the case of the present embodiment, in the replacement cleaning process, ink droplets are ejected from the print head 50 by the number N1 of flushing shots (for example, 1.28 × 105), and the ink pump 62 is operated for strong ink suction. The ink is sucked from the print head 50 by operating only for the time T1 (for example, 5 seconds).
[0066]
Therefore, the unit number of the ink ejection amount of the print head 50 and the unit number of the ink suction amount of the ink pump 62 are subtracted from the above-mentioned initial ink remaining amount of the first ink end counter.
[0067]
Specifically, a value obtained by subtracting “the number of shots N1” × “the first reference value X” and 10 × “the operation time T1” × “the second reference value Y” from the first ink end counter is given by: Write to the first ink end counter.
[0068]
Further, the ink discharge counter is incremented by the number of shots N1, and the pump counter is incremented by 50 times the operation time T1.
[0069]
Next, in step 3, the initial ink remaining amount is subtracted by the printing process.
[0070]
In the case of the present embodiment, in the printing process, ink droplets are ejected from the print head 50 by the number of printing shots N2 (for example, 1 × 107).
[0071]
Therefore, a value obtained by subtracting “the number of shots N2” × “the first reference value X”, which is the ink ejection amount of the print head 50, is written into the first ink end counter.
[0072]
Further, the ink discharge counter is incremented by the number of shots N2 and added.
[0073]
In step 4, the initial ink remaining amount is subtracted by the cleaning process.
[0074]
In the case of the present embodiment, in the cleaning process, ink droplets are ejected from the print head 50 by the number N1 of flushing shots, and the ink pump 62 is operated for the operation time T2 (for example, 1 second) for weak ink suction. To suck ink from the print head 50.
[0075]
Therefore, a value obtained by subtracting “the number of shots N1” × “the first reference value X” and 10 × “the operation time T2” × “the second reference value Y” is written into the first ink end counter.
[0076]
Further, the ink discharge counter and the pump counter are incremented by the number of shots N1 and the operation time T2, respectively.
[0077]
On the other hand, when the value of the first ink end counter becomes 0 due to the subsequent repetition of the printing process or the cleaning process, the ink end counter flag is increased, and thereafter, the print head 50 is added to the second ink end counter. And the unit number of the ink suction amount of the ink pump 62 is added.
[0078]
For example, when the above-described cleaning process is performed, the “number of shots N1” × “the first reference value X” and the “10 ד operation time T2 ”ד the second reference Write the value obtained by adding the value Y ”.
[0079]
Further, the ink discharge counter and the pump counter are incremented by the number of shots N1 and the operation time T2, respectively.
[0080]
Thereafter, the printing process and the cleaning process described above are repeated, and when the control unit receives the ink end signal from the ink end detector 20, the process proceeds from step 5 to step 6, where the following correction process is performed.
[0081]
In this case, first, the initial value of the first ink end counter at the time of the ink end and the value of the second ink end counter are added, and the value is set as the value of the total ink end counter.
[0082]
On the other hand, if the ink end is reached before the first ink end counter reaches 0, the value of the first ink end counter at the time of the ink end is set as the value of the total ink end counter.
[0083]
Then, the arithmetic mean value of the initial value of the previous ink end counter and the current average value of the total ink end counter is reset as the initial value of the next ink end counter, that is, the initial ink remaining amount.
[0084]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a correction process when the second and subsequent ink cartridges are used in the present invention.
[0085]
In this case, the same subtraction is performed as described above, and when the ink-end state is reached, the value of the total ink-end counter (TIEC (n-1)) is calculated in step 10, and further, in step 11, The arithmetic mean of the initial value IEC (n-1) of the ink end counter and the value (TIEC (n-1)) of the total ink end counter is used as the initial value IEC (n) of the next ink end counter. It is reset (step 12).
[0086]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 13, where the first reference value X (n) and the second reference value Y (n) are expressed by a relational expression satisfying the previous total ink end counter value TIEC (n-1), A simultaneous equation consisting of a relational expression that satisfies the value TIEC (n) of the total ink end counter is established, and the first reference value X (n) and the second reference value Y (n), which are the solutions, are set in step 14. It is calculated and reset at step 15 as the next reference value.
[0087]
As a result, for example, when the ink cartridge 10 has reached the ink end state for the third time, the fourth X and Y are set based on the second and third count values.
[0088]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, while the ink end state can be detected by the ink end detection unit 20, the ink remaining amount is determined based on a preset initial ink remaining amount and a predetermined parameter. Since the amount is calculated, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of ink at each point in time up to the ink end.
[0089]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the ink end state can be reliably detected by the ink end detecting unit 20, the capacity of the ink tank 11 has a margin as in the method of estimating the ink end only by software. There is no need to provide the ink tank, and the ink in the ink tank 11 can be used effectively, and the size of the ink tank 11 can be reduced.
[0090]
Further, in the present embodiment, the ink consumption from the time when the ink tank 11 is mounted to the time when the ink end state is detected by the ink end detector 20 is calculated, and the calculated ink consumption is calculated. To correct the initial ink remaining amount or the first and second reference values X and Y based on the ink remaining amount, the ink remaining amount at each point in time after the replacement of the ink tank 11 until the ink end of the new ink tank 11 is reached. The amount can be detected more accurately.
[0091]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made.
[0092]
For example, the values of the various counters in the above embodiment are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the ink cartridge or the printer.
[0093]
Further, in the above embodiment, an optical sensor is used as the ink end detector, but for example, the bubbles are generated by the difference between the electric resistance in the ink liquid and the electric resistance including the bubbles in the ink liquid. It is also possible to use what is detected.
[0094]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, while the ink end detector can detect the ink end state, the ink remaining amount is calculated based on a preset initial ink remaining amount and a predetermined parameter. Thus, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of ink at each point in time up to the ink end.
[0095]
Further, according to the present invention, since the ink end state can be reliably detected by the ink end detector, it is necessary to provide a margin for the ink tank capacity as in the method of estimating the ink end using only software. In addition, the ink in the ink tank can be used effectively, and the size of the ink cartridge can be reduced.
[0096]
Further, in the present invention, an ink consumption amount from when the ink cartridge is mounted to when the ink end state is detected by the ink end detector is calculated, and based on the calculated ink consumption amount, By correcting the initial ink remaining amount or the first and second reference values, it is possible to more accurately detect the ink remaining amount at each point in time from the replacement of an ink cartridge to the end of ink for a new ink cartridge. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a printer according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of the printer.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system including a control unit according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a main process of the control unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a correction process of the control unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Ink supply unit
20: Ink end detection section
50 ... Print head
62 ... Ink pump
80 ... Control unit
90 ... Ink remaining amount detection unit

Claims (7)

A printer that performs printing using an exchangeable ink cartridge having an ink tank for supplying ink to a print head that discharges predetermined ink droplets,
An ink end detector that detects an end state of the ink in the ink tank of the ink cartridge;
A control unit having an ink remaining amount detection unit that detects the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank of the ink cartridge,
The ink remaining amount detection unit includes an ink consumption reference table that specifies an ink consumption reference value per unit of the ink consumption unit that consumes the ink, a counting unit that counts the number of times the ink consumption unit is driven, A calculation unit for calculating the ink consumption based on the consumption reference table and the count value in the counting unit, and calculating the remaining ink based on the ink consumption and a preset initial value of the remaining ink. A printer. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the ink consuming unit includes the print head and an ink pump that sucks a predetermined amount of ink from the print head. 3. The ink remaining amount detection unit according to claim 1, further comprising a correction function for correcting the ink consumption reference table based on the ink consumption calculated by the calculation unit. 4. The printer described. 4. A method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in a printer according to claim 1, wherein
An initial value of the remaining amount of ink is set when the ink cartridge is mounted, and the reference value of the ink consumption amount per unit of the ink consuming unit in the ink consumption reference table is set based on the set initial value of the remaining ink amount. While the result obtained by sequentially subtracting the ink consumption calculated based on the number of driving of the ink consuming unit is the remaining ink amount at that time,
A method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in a printer, comprising: determining an end state of ink in an ink tank of the ink cartridge based on a result detected by the ink end detector. The ink consumption unit, the print head, an ink pump that sucks a predetermined amount of ink from the print head, the print head and the ink consumption per unit reference value of the ink pump, the print head, 5. The ink remaining amount detection in the printer according to claim 4, wherein a result obtained by sequentially subtracting an ink consumption amount calculated based on the number of times of driving of the ink pump is set as a remaining ink amount at that time. Method. Calculate the ink consumption from the time when the ink cartridge is mounted to the time when the ink end state is detected by the ink end detector. Based on the calculated ink consumption, the 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the value is corrected. Calculate the ink consumption from the time when the ink cartridge is mounted to the time when the ink end state is detected by the ink end detector, and calculate the ink consumption reference table based on the calculated ink consumption. 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the reference value of the ink consumption per unit of the ink consuming unit is corrected.

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