JP2005193451A - Printing device and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device which can sufficiently prevent an imitation of consumables from being used/manufactured and its program. <P>SOLUTION: In this printing device, when the paper end of a rolled paper 12 is distinguished in its detection, that is, the depletion of the rolled paper 12 is determined, a solenoid 143 is set to the "ON" position, and a roller body 141a on the upper side of a pressurizing roller 14, is pushed down to pinch the rolled paper 12 between the roller bodies 141a and 141b. In succession, the rolled paper 12 is conveyed over a specified distance by rotating a feed roller 18. The roller bodies 141a and 141b of the pressurizing roller 14 are rotated following the conveyance of the rolled paper 12. Finally, an electronic tag 11 imbedded near the paper end of the conveyed rolled paper 12, is pinched into between the upper roller body 141a and the lower roller body 141b and broken. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus to which a consumable for printing is detachably attached, and a program thereof.

  For example, devices such as facsimiles, POS terminal devices, and copiers have a printing device, and consumables such as roll paper, ink cartridges, and ink ribbons that are consumed as they are used are used for the printing device. After the consumable is used up, it is detachably attached to the printing apparatus so that it can be replaced with a new one. When replacing consumables, genuine printers, that is, if the manufacturer of the printing device replaces the consumables that are created and supplied with due consideration of the printing device standards, performance, structure, etc. Therefore, the printing apparatus can be used in a comfortable output environment.

  However, in reality, there are many counterfeits that are not genuine products of consumables made by manufacturers other than printer manufacturers. If this counterfeit product is used in a printing apparatus, it may cause a decrease in printing quality of the printing apparatus, failure of the printing apparatus, or the like. For this reason, the reliability of the manufacturer of the printing apparatus may be reduced.

In order to solve such a problem, this process cartridge is a process cartridge having a specification preset in the printing apparatus by detecting the transmission frequency of a specific signal output from a transmitter provided in the process cartridge. Whether or not the process cartridge is genuine or counterfeit is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-12-137416 (Pages 6-8, FIGS. 2 and 3)

  In the above-described method for preventing the use of a counterfeit product using a process cartridge that can be identified as whether it is a counterfeit product, the transmitter provided in the process cartridge can also be recycled as it is. For this reason, it is possible to make counterfeits by collecting information such as physical properties and particle size from the toner remaining in the process cartridge, manufacturing similar toner, and storing it in the cartridge provided with the transmitter. there were.

  Therefore, in this conventional method, the use and manufacture of counterfeits cannot be sufficiently prevented, and the deterioration of the printing quality of the printing apparatus due to the use of counterfeits and the failure of the printing apparatus cannot be prevented. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can sufficiently prevent the use and manufacture of a counterfeit consumable and a program therefor.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A printing device in which consumables for printing are detachably attached,
An identification data transmitting device that is provided in the consumable and transmits identification data for identifying the consumable;
An identification data receiving unit for receiving identification data transmitted from the identification data transmitting device;
An identification data storage unit in which identification data for identifying the consumables is stored in advance;
An identification data determination unit that determines whether or not the identification data received by the identification information data reception unit matches the previously stored identification data;
If the respective identification data matches, a print execution unit that executes printing using the consumables;
A remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of the consumables;
When it is detected that the remaining amount of the consumable item is exhausted, an identification data erasure unit that erases the identification data of the identification data transmission device is provided.
It is characterized by that.

  Further, the identification data transmitting device may be an electronic tag having an IC chip in which identification data is stored.

  Further, the consumable is printing paper, and when the remaining amount detection unit detects that the printing paper has run out, the identification data erasing unit detects the identification data transmitting device. The identification data may be erased.

  In addition, the consumable is an ink ribbon roll, and when the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the ink ribbon roll has run out, the identification data erasing unit erases the identification data of the identification data transmitting device. May be.

  The consumable is an ink cartridge, and when the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the ink in the ink cartridge has run out, the identification data erasing unit erases the identification data of the identification data transmitting device. May be.

  The identification data erasure unit is a high voltage generation unit having a high voltage application electrode terminal, the high voltage application terminal is disposed so as to contact the identification data transmission device, and the remaining amount detection unit When it is detected that the remaining amount of the consumable item is exhausted, the identification data of the identification data transmission device may be erased by applying a high voltage to the identification data transmission device by the high voltage application electrode terminal. ,

  Further, the identification data erasure unit is a cutter, and the identification data transmission device may be scraped off by the cutter.

  The identification data erasing unit may be a pair of pressure rollers, and the identification data transmission device may be sandwiched and destroyed by the pair of pressure rollers.

  Moreover, you may make it provide a mountain-shaped metal plate so that the said consumables may contact | connect the said electronic tag.

  Moreover, you may make it make a crack in the protection member of the said electronic tag.

The program according to the present invention is:
To the computer that controls the printing device,
An identification data transmission step for transmitting identification data for identifying a consumable from an identification data transmission device provided on the consumable for printing;
An identification data receiving step for receiving identification data transmitted from the identification data transmitting device;
An identification data determination step for determining whether or not the identification data of the identification data transmitting device and the previously stored identification data match;
If the respective identification data match, a print execution step for executing printing using the consumables;
A consumables remaining amount detecting step for detecting a remaining amount of the consumables;
When it is detected that the remaining amount of the consumable item is exhausted, an identification data erasing step for erasing the identification data of the identification data transmitting device;
Is executed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the use and manufacture of imitations of consumables for printing.

  A printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
An example of the configuration of a printing apparatus applied to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. The printing apparatus 10 is an example of a thermal printer used for a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal. The printing apparatus 10 includes a roll paper 12 having an electronic tag ((RFID) Radio Frequency Identification) 11, an electronic tag sensor 13, a pressure roller 14, paper end sensors 15 a and 15 b in a main body case 21. A thermal head 16, a platen roller 17, a feed roller 18, a cutter 19, a paper discharge guide 20, and a support member 22 that supports roll paper are provided.

  The electronic tag 11 is a tag for recognizing data without contact using radio waves or the like. The electronic tag 11 is embedded near the final end (paper end) of the roll paper 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic tag 11 is connected to the IC chip 111 in which an ID code corresponding to the standard of the roll paper 12 is stored, and the IC chip 111 for transmitting and receiving the ID code information in a non-contact manner. The antenna 112 and the IC chip 111 and the protective member 113 made of, for example, resin for protecting the antenna 112 are configured.

  The IC chip 111 stores, as an ID code, for example, the paper type, serial number, manufacturing company number, paper number, and the like of the roll paper 12 in association with each other.

  The roll paper 12 is detachably attached to a support member 22 provided in the main body case 21. The roll paper 12 is rotatably mounted by supporting the core rod 121 around which the roll paper 12 is wound by the support member 22. The roll paper 12 is a consumable item. When the roll paper 12 has been used over its entire length, it is replaced with a new roll paper 12. In this embodiment, the roll paper 12 is a thermal roll paper 12 corresponding to a thermal printer.

  The electronic tag sensor 13 is a sensor for reading the ID code stored in the IC chip 111 of the electronic tag 11. Two electronic tag sensors 13 are provided near the core rod 121 of the roll paper 12. Of the two electronic tag sensors 13, one electronic tag sensor 13 a is provided immediately below the core rod 121 on the bottom surface of the main body case 21, and the other electronic tag sensor 13 b is on the roll paper stretching direction side. Thus, it is provided at a position substantially the same height as the support member 22 and in the vicinity of a roller body 141b on the lower side of the pressure roller 14 described later. When a radio wave is sent from the electronic tag sensor 13, the electronic tag 11 receives the radio wave to generate power, and transmits the ID code stored in the IC chip 111 to the electronic tag sensor 13 with a weak radio wave. To do. The ID code stored in the IC chip 111 of the electronic tag 11 is read by the electronic tag sensor 13.

  The pressure roller 14 is a roller for applying pressure to the electronic tag 11 to break it. The pressure roller 14 includes a pair of metal roller bodies 141a and 141b, a spring 142 installed between the respective rotation shafts of the roller bodies 141a and 141b, and a solenoid that moves the roller body 141a disposed on the upper side up and down. 143. The roller bodies 141a and 141b are rotatably attached to the rotation shaft. The outer peripheral surfaces of the roller bodies 141a and 141b have a mountain shape with a sharp tip angle. The spring 142 is a compression spring, and usually an elastic force acts in the direction of increasing the distance between the roller bodies 141a and 141b. The spring 142 is installed between the respective rotation shafts of the roller body 141 so as to avoid the roll paper conveyance path.

  In order to destroy the electronic tag 11 with the pressure roller 14, the solenoid 143 is driven to push down the upper roller body 141a, and the roll paper 12 is sandwiched between the roller bodies 141a and 141b. As the roll paper 12 is conveyed by the rotation of the feed roller 18, the pair of roller bodies 141 a and 141 b rotate and a large pressure is applied to the electronic tag 11 from the sharp angled portions of the outer peripheral surfaces of the roller bodies 141 a and 141 b. The electronic tag 11 is destroyed.

  The paper end sensor 15 includes a light emitting unit 15a made of a light emitting element and a light receiving unit 15b made of a light receiving element. In the main body case 21, the light emitting unit 15 a and the light receiving unit 15 b have a line connecting the position of the light emitting unit 15 a and the position of the light receiving unit 15 b in the vicinity of the tangential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the core rod 121 of the paper roll paper 12. It is provided so as to face the direction. The paper end state, that is, the state in which the roll paper 12 is used up is detected when light emitted from the light emitting unit 15a is received by the light receiving unit 15b for a predetermined amount or more without being blocked by the roll paper 12. .

  The thermal head 16 includes a plurality of heating elements (not shown) in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the roll paper 12 and constitutes a printing mechanism together with a platen roller 17 disposed to face the heating head 16. The thermal head 16 has a structure that can be moved in a direction in which the platen roller 17 is pressed against and a direction in which the platen roller 17 is separated by a head moving mechanism (not shown). The thermal head 16 is moved in a direction away from the platen roller 17 when the power is off and during a non-printing operation including a paper end state, and is moved in a direction in which the thermal head 16 is pressed against the platen roller 17 only during the printing operation.

  The feed roller 18 includes a pair of rubber feed rollers 18a and 18b, for example, and is rotatably attached to a rotation shaft. One upper feed roller 18a is a drive roller, and is driven to rotate using a step motor (not shown) as a drive source. The other lower roller 18b is a driven roller that rotates following the upper feed roller 18a.

  The cutter 19 cuts the printed roll paper 12 and includes a movable blade 191 and a fixed blade 192. The movable blade 191 can be moved up and down by a solenoid 193. When the movable blade 191 is pushed down, the roll paper 12 after printing is cut by the movable blade 191 and the fixed blade 192.

  The paper discharge guide 20 is a guide for guiding the roll paper 12 cut by the cutter 19 to the paper discharge port.

  The roll paper 12 has a leading end between the roller bodies 141 a and 141 b of the pressure roller 14, between the thermal head 16 and the platen roller 17, between the feed rollers 18 a and 18 b, a movable blade 191 and a fixed blade 192 of the cutter 19. And by being inserted into the paper discharge guide 20, it is set in the printing apparatus 10.

  A configuration for controlling the printing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The circuit of the printing apparatus 10 includes a print control unit 31 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The print control unit 31 includes a read only memory (ROM) 32, a random access memory (RAM) 33, a print head drive unit 34, a feed roller drive unit 35, a cutter drive unit 36, and a pressure roller drive. The unit 37, the electronic tag sensor 13, the paper sensor 15, and the transmission control unit 38 are connected.

  The print control unit 31 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 32, and controls the operation of each unit in the printing apparatus 10 using the RAM 33 as a work memory.

  The ROM 32 stores various control programs for the print control unit 31 to control various operations of the printing apparatus 10.

  The RAM 33 includes a print buffer 331 in which print data to be printed is stored for each character, an ID code memory 332 in which identification data of the roll paper 12 is stored, and the like. In the ID code memory 332, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the type, serial number, company number, and paper number of the roll paper 12 are stored in association with each other as the ID code. In this example, “X company roll paper A” and “X company roll paper B” have different roll paper diameters.

  The print head drive unit 34 includes a print head drive circuit, a thermal head 16 and the like. The print head drive unit 34 drives the thermal head 16 to generate heat according to the print data. The feed roller driving unit 35 includes the feed roller 18 such as a feed roller drive circuit and a step motor. The feed roller driving unit 35 rotationally drives the feed roller 18. The cutter driving unit 36 includes a cutter driving circuit, a solenoid 193, a cutter 19 and the like. The cutter driving unit 36 drives the movable blade 191 of the cutter 19 in the vertical direction.

  The pressure roller drive unit 37 includes a pressure roller drive circuit, a solenoid 143, and the like. The pressure roller driving unit 37 drives the roller body 141a on the upper side of the pressure roller 14 in the vertical direction.

  The transmission control unit 38 exchanges data with the management device 40 of the POS terminal, which is a data processing device that is communicably connected via a communication line or a network. The new ID code of the roll paper 12 is downloaded from the sequential management device 40 and stored in the ID code memory 332.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the print key is operated by the key input of the POS terminal, the print process is started.

  First, the print control unit 31 determines whether or not the ID code of the electronic tag 11 is detected (step S101). That is, the print control unit 31 determines whether or not the ID code stored in the IC chip 111 of the electronic tag 11 has been read by the electronic tag sensor 13.

  When it is determined that the ID code of the electronic tag 11 is not detected (step S101; NO), that is, for example, when the attached roll paper is a counterfeit and does not have the electronic tag 11, the print control unit 31 Then, guidance is displayed on the monitor (not shown) of the POS terminal so as to set regular roll paper, and the printing process is terminated (step S102).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the ID code of the electronic tag 11 has been detected (step S101; YES), the print control unit 31 determines whether or not the detected ID code matches the ID code stored in the ID code memory 332. Is determined (step S103).

  When it is determined that the ID codes do not match (step S103; NO), that is, for example, when the attached roll paper is a counterfeit and an electronic tag storing an incorrect ID code is embedded, etc. Similarly to the above, the print control unit 31 displays a guidance on the monitor of the POS terminal so as to set regular roll paper, and ends the printing process (step S102).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the ID codes match (step S103; YES), the print control unit 31 determines whether a paper end is detected (step S104). That is, the print control unit 31 detects the paper end based on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15a of the paper end sensor 15 is received by the light receiving unit 15b more than a predetermined amount without being blocked by the roll paper 12. It is determined whether or not. The printing apparatus 10 rotates the feed roller 18 only while recognizing the matching ID code of the electronic tag 11.

  If it is determined that a paper end is not detected (step S104; NO), that is, if it is determined that printing is possible without using up the roll paper 12, the print control unit 31 determines whether there is print data. It is determined whether or not (step S105). The print control unit 31 determines whether there is text data composed of character string data stored in the print buffer 331 of the RAM 33.

  If it is determined that there is no print data (step S105; NO), the print process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is print data (step S105; YES), the print control unit 31 performs printing according to the print data while conveying the roll paper 12 (step S106). The print control unit 31 causes the print head driving unit 34 to press the thermal head 16 against the platen roller 17. Then, the print control unit 31 performs printing by energizing the thermal head 16 according to the print data while rotating the feed roller 18 and transporting the roll paper 12 by the feed roller driving unit 35. After printing, the data stored in the print buffer 331 is cleared.

  Subsequently, the print control unit 31 further rotates the feed roller 18 and conveys the roll paper 12 for the line of the thermal head 16 (step S107). The printed roll paper 12 is discharged from the discharge port, and the movable blade 191 of the cutter 19 is pushed down by the cutter driving unit 36 to cut the printed roll paper 12. Further, the print control unit 31 moves the thermal head 16 in a direction away from the platen roller 17 by the print head driving unit 34. Then, the print control unit 31 returns the process to step S101.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that a paper end has been detected for the roll paper 12 (step S104; YES), that is, if it is determined that all of the roll paper 12 has been used up, the print control unit 31 turns the solenoid 143 on. Turns on (step S108). When the paper end sensor 15 detects the paper end of the roll paper 12, the print control unit 31 turns on the solenoid 143 that constitutes the pressure roller driving unit 37, and the upper roller body of the pressure roller 14. 141a is pushed down and the roll paper 12 is sandwiched between the roller bodies 141a and 141b. The paper end state of the roll paper 12 is a state where the roll paper 12 is separated from the core rod 121 as shown in FIG. In the paper end state, the roll paper 12 that has blocked the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15a of the paper end sensor 15 disappears, and a large amount of light is received by the light receiving unit 15a.

  The printing apparatus 10 when the roll paper 12 is in the paper end state is shown in FIG. The printing apparatus 10 rotates the feed roller 18 only when the electronic tag sensor 13 recognizes the ID code of the electronic tag 11, but the pressure is applied even when the roll paper 12 is in the paper end state. Since the ID tag of the electronic tag 11 embedded in the vicinity of the paper end of the roll paper 12 is recognized by the electronic tag sensor 13b provided near the lower roller body 141b of the roller 14, the feeding by the printing apparatus 10 is performed. The roller 18 can be rotationally driven.

  Subsequently, the print control unit 31 rotates the feed roller 18 by the feed roller driving unit 35 and conveys the roll paper 12 by a predetermined distance (step S109). As the roll paper 12 is conveyed, the roller bodies 141a and 141b of the pressure roller 14 rotate. The electronic tag 11 embedded near the paper end of the roll paper 12 to be conveyed is sandwiched between the upper roller body 141a and the lower roller body 141b, and the electronic tag 11 is destroyed. When the IC chip 111 of the electronic tag 11 is destroyed, the rotation of the feed roller 18 is stopped.

  Then, the print control unit 31 turns off the solenoid 143 (step S110). The print control unit 31 pushes up the roller body 141 a on the upper side of the pressure roller 14 by turning off the solenoid 143.

  Subsequently, the print control unit 31 displays on the monitor (not shown) of the POS terminal that the roll paper 12 has been lost and notifies that the roll paper 12 has been lost (step S111).

  Then, the print control unit 31 determines whether or not the replenishment of the roll paper 12 is detected (step S112). The print control unit 31 is configured such that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15a of the paper end sensor 15 is blocked by the roll paper 12, and the light received by the light receiving unit 15b is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. Detect replenishment.

  When it is determined that the replenishment of the roll paper 12 is not detected (step S112; NO), the print control unit 31 determines whether the notification that the roll paper 12 has been used up and has been used up has been canceled (step S112). S113).

  If it is determined that the notification has not been released (step S113; NO), the process returns to step S112.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the replenishment of the roll paper 12 is detected (step S112; YES), and when it is determined that the notification is released (step S113; YES), the print control unit 31 runs out of the roll paper 12. The notification of exhaustion is stopped (step S114), and the process returns to step S101.

  As described above, in the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the roll paper 12 provided with the electronic tag 11 is used, and the ID code of the IC chip 111 of the electronic tag 11 and the ID code memory 332 of the printing apparatus 10 are stored. Since only when the ID code matches, printing can be performed, and when the roll paper 12 is used up and the paper end state is reached, the electronic tag 11 is broken and cannot be used. The use of the product can be sufficiently prevented, and the imitation of the usable roll paper 12 can be sufficiently prevented. In the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, even if an attempt is made to recycle roll paper by examining paper, a core rod, etc., the IC chip 111 information of the electronic tag 11 cannot be obtained. It cannot be manufactured.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the printing apparatus 50 according to the first modification of the first embodiment has the electronic tag 11 embedded at an intermediate position between the front end and the end of the roll paper 12. The printing apparatus 50 includes a counter (not shown) that counts at least one of the rotational axis of the feed roller 18, the core rod 121 of the roll paper 12, and the rotational axis of the pressure roller 14. It is necessary to determine the remaining length from the intermediate position where the electronic tag 11 of the roll paper 12 is embedded.

  In this printing apparatus 50, when the print control unit 31 determines that the ID code of the IC chip 111 of the electronic tag 11 read by the electronic tag sensor 13 matches the ID code stored in the ID code memory 332, Although the roll paper 12 is conveyed by the feed roller 18 and printing is possible, the electronic tag 11 is broken by the pressure roller 14 at an intermediate position before the roll paper 12 is in a paper end state. After the electronic tag 11 is destroyed, the rotation number of the rotating shaft of the feed roller 18 corresponding to the remaining length from the intermediate position of the roll paper 12 from which the electronic tag 11 is provided is counted by a counter, The roll paper 12 can be used up until the paper end state is reached.

  In the printing apparatus 50 according to the present modification, the electronic tag 11 can be destroyed at an early stage where the roll paper 12 is not used up, so that the reuse of the electronic tag 11 can be prevented at an early stage. In this modification, it is also possible to provide the electronic tag 11 not at the intermediate position of the roll paper 12 but near the tip of the roll paper 12, that is, almost at the start position. The reuse of the electronic tag 11 can be prevented at an early stage.

  In the printing apparatus 60 according to the second modification of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, two electronic tags 11 a and 11 b are embedded in the roll paper 12. One electronic tag 11 b is embedded near the final end of the roll paper 12. The information based on the ID code stored in each IC chip of the two electronic tags 11a and 11b has a certain relationship. For example, information by each ID code has a 1: 2 relationship.

  In this printing apparatus 60, when the ID code information of the IC chips of the electronic tags 11a and 11b read by the electronic tag sensor 13 has a predetermined relationship, the roll paper 12 is conveyed by the feed roller 18. Printing is possible. After the electronic tag 11a embedded at the intermediate position between the leading end and the final end of the roll paper 12 is broken by the pressure roller 14, the printing apparatus 60 removes the electronic tag 11b embedded near the remaining final end. The roll paper 12 is conveyed by the feed roller 18 only while the electronic tag sensor 13 recognizes it. When the roll paper 12 is in the paper end state, the electronic tag 11b remaining by the pressure roller 14 is also destroyed.

  In the printing apparatus 60 according to the present modification, the roll paper 12 can be transported and printed on the roll paper 12 only when the ID codes of the IC chips of the electronic tags 11a and 11b have a predetermined relationship. The use of counterfeits can be more sufficiently prevented, and the manufacture of counterfeits of usable roll paper 12 can be more sufficiently prevented. In this modification, both of the electronic tags 11 a and 11 b can be provided at an intermediate position of the roll paper 12, and one electronic tag 11 a can be provided near the tip position of the roll paper 12. .

  A printing apparatus 70 according to the third modification of the first embodiment includes an electronic tag 11 and an encoder 71 as shown in FIG. There is a fixed relationship between the information based on the ID code stored in the IC chip 111 of the electronic tag 11 and the predetermined number of pulses of the signal output during one rotation of the shaft by the encoder 71. For example, the relationship between the information by the ID code of the electronic tag 11 and the number of pulses output from the encoder 71 is a 1: 2 relationship.

  In this printing apparatus 70, when the ID code information of the electronic tag 11 read by the electronic tag sensor 13 and the number of pulses of the encoder 71 read by a sensor (light receiving element) (not shown) have a predetermined relationship. The roll paper 12 is conveyed by the feed roller 18 and printing is possible. After the electronic tag 11 a embedded in the roll paper 12 is broken by the pressure roller 14, the printing apparatus 60 transports the roll paper 12 by the feed roller 18 only while the presence of the encoder 71 can be recognized.

  In the printing apparatus 70 according to this modification, the roll paper 12 can be transported and printed on the roll paper 12 only when the ID code information of the electronic tag 11 and the transmission information by the encoder 71 are in a predetermined relationship. Therefore, the use of counterfeits can be prevented more sufficiently.

(Embodiment 2)
An example of the configuration of the main part of the printing apparatus applied to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The printing apparatus 80 is an example of an ink jet printer. The printing apparatus 80 includes an ink cartridge 82 (82a, 82b, 82c, 82d) having an electronic tag 81, a print head 83 on which the ink cartridge 82 is mounted, and a feed roller 85 that conveys the paper 84. . The electronic tag 81 has the same configuration as the electronic tag 11 described in the first embodiment, and the description of the configuration is omitted.

  The ink cartridge 82 includes four ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d. The ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d are filled with black (K) ink, yellow (Y) ink, magenta (M) ink, and cyan (C) ink, respectively. Each of the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d can be replaced with a new ink cartridge when the filled ink runs out. Each of the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d is provided with a transparent window 821 near the bottom of the left and right side walls.

  The electronic tag 81 has the same configuration as the electronic tag 11 shown in FIG. The electronic tags 81 are attached to the front surfaces of the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d facing the print head 83, respectively. The IC chip of the electronic tag 81 stores, as an ID code, for example, a serial number of each of the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d, a cartridge number, and the like in association with each other.

  The print head 83 includes an ink cartridge mounting unit 86, an ink receiving port 87, a remaining amount detection sensor 88 including a light emitting unit 88a and a light receiving unit 88b, an electronic tag reading unit 89, a high voltage application terminal 90, A printing chip (not shown) is provided.

  The ink cartridge mounting portion 86 is formed by being divided into four mounting portions 86a, 86b, 86c, 86d, and is formed so that each of the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d can be mounted separately and detachably.

  As shown in FIG. 13, each of the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d has the electronic tag 81 in contact with the high voltage applying electrode terminal 90 and the transparent window 821 facing the remaining amount detection sensor 88. Are mounted on the mounting portions 86a, 86b, 86c and 86d, respectively.

  The ink receiving port 87 receives ink from an ink supply port (not shown) of the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d.

  The remaining amount detection sensor 88 is a sensor that detects the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridges 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d. The remaining amount detection sensor 88 is provided as a light emitting part (light emitting element) 88a and a light receiving part (light receiving element) 88b on inner walls that partition the mounting parts 86a, 86b, 86c, 86d.

  A method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 82 will be described with reference to FIG. Light emitted from the light emitting unit 88a passes through the ink cartridge 82 through the transparent window 821, and is received by the light receiving unit 88b. If the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 88b is detected, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 82 is detected. Since the light emitting portion 88a and the light receiving portion 88b are arranged at positions facing the transparent window 821 provided near the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 82, the fact that the ink in the ink cartridge 82 has run out is the light receiving portion 88b. It is detected when the amount of received light is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount.

  The electronic tag reading unit 89 is provided near the electronic tag 81 of the attached ink cartridge 82. The electronic tag reading unit 89 reads or additionally writes an ID code stored in the IC chip of the electronic tag 81. When a radio wave is sent from the electronic tag reading unit 89, the electronic tag 81 receives the radio wave to generate power, and transmits the ID code stored in the IC chip to the electronic tag reading unit 89 with a weak radio wave. . Then, the electronic tag reading unit 89 reads the ID code stored in the IC chip of the electronic tag 81. Further, the ID code stored in the IC chip can be additionally written by sending a radio wave from the electronic tag reading unit 89 and causing the electronic tag 81 to receive the radio wave.

  The high voltage applying electrode terminal 90 is connected to a high voltage generating circuit, and is used for applying a high voltage to the electronic tag 81 of the ink cartridge 82 that has run out of ink for destruction.

  A configuration for controlling the printing apparatus 80 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The circuit of the printing apparatus 80 includes a print control unit 91 including a CPU. The print control unit 91 includes a ROM 92, a RAM 93, a print head drive unit 94, a feed roller drive unit 95, a high voltage generation unit 96, an electronic tag reading unit 89, a remaining amount detection sensor 88, and a transmission. A control unit 97 is connected.

  The print control unit 91 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 92, and controls the operation of each unit in the printing apparatus 80 using the RAM 93 as a work memory.

  The ROM 92 stores various control programs for the print control unit 91 to control various operations of the printing apparatus 80.

  The RAM 93 includes a print buffer 931 in which print data to be printed is stored for each character, an ID code memory 932 in which identification data of the roll paper 12 is stored, and the like. In this ID code memory 932, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the type, serial number, company number, and cartridge number of the ink cartridge 82 are stored in association with each other as the ID code. A separate ID code is set for each of the ink cartridges 82a to 82d.

  The print head drive unit 94 includes a print head drive circuit, a print head 83, and the like. The print head drive unit 94 reciprocates the print head 83 and discharges ink from the ink discharge nozzle of the print chip toward the paper surface of the paper 84 to execute printing.

  The feed roller drive unit 95 includes a feed roller drive circuit, a step motor, a feed roller 85, and the like. The feed roller driving unit 95 rotationally drives the feed roller 85.

  The high voltage generation unit 96 includes a high voltage generation circuit, a high voltage application electrode terminal 90, and the like. The high voltage generator 96 generates a high voltage at the high voltage application electrode terminal 90.

  The transmission control unit 97 exchanges data with a management device 98 that is a data processing device connected by communication via a communication line or a network. The new ID code of the ink cartridge 82 is downloaded from the sequential management device 98 and stored in the ID code memory 932.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 80 configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The printing process is activated by a key operation of a personal computer connected to the printing apparatus 80.

  First, the print control unit 91 determines whether or not the ID code of the electronic tag 81 is detected (step S201). That is, the print control unit 91 determines whether or not the ID code stored in the IC chip of the electronic tag 81 has been read by the electronic tag reading unit 89. It is determined whether or not an ID code is detected for each of the ink cartridges 82a to 82d.

  When it is determined that the ID code of the electronic tag 81 is not detected (step S201; NO), that is, for example, when the mounted ink cartridge 82 is a counterfeit and does not have the electronic tag 81, the print control unit 91 Displays a guidance on a monitor (not shown) of a personal computer so as to set a regular ink cartridge 82, and ends the printing process (step S202).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the ID code of the electronic tag 81 has been detected (step S201; YES), the print control unit 91 determines whether or not the detected ID code matches the ID code stored in the ID code memory 932. Is determined (step S203). It is determined whether or not the detected ID code matches the ID code stored in the ID code memory 932 of each of the ink cartridges 82a to 82d.

  When it is determined that the ID codes do not match (step S203; NO), that is, for example, when the mounted ink cartridge is a counterfeit and an electronic tag storing an incorrect ID code is embedded, etc. Similarly to the above, the print controller 91 displays a guidance on a monitor (not shown) of a personal computer so as to set the regular ink cartridge 82, and ends the printing process (step S202).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the ID codes match (step S203; YES), the print controller 91 determines whether any ink cartridge end is detected (step S204). That is, the print control unit 91 determines whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit 88a of the remaining amount detection sensor 88 is received by the light receiving unit 88b by a predetermined amount or more without being blocked by the ink in the ink cartridge 82. Then, it is determined whether or not it is detected that the ink in the ink cartridge has run out.

  If it is determined that no ink cartridge end is detected (step S204; NO), that is, if it is determined that printing can be performed without exhausting all the ink cartridges 82a to 82d, the print control unit 91 Determines whether there is print data (step S205). The print controller 91 determines whether there is text data composed of character string data stored in the print buffer 931 of the RAM 93.

  If it is determined that there is no print data (step S205; NO), the print process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is print data (step S205; YES), the print control unit 91 performs printing according to the print data (step S206). The print control unit 91 performs printing by discharging ink from the ink discharge nozzles of the print chip toward the paper 84 according to the print data while the print head driving unit 94 reciprocates the print head 83. After printing, the data stored in the print buffer 931 is cleared.

  Subsequently, the print control unit 91 rotates the feed roller 85 by the feed roller driving unit 95, and conveys the paper 84 for the line of the print head 83 (step S207). Then, the print control unit 91 returns the process to step S201.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S204 that any of the ink cartridge ends has been detected (step S204; YES), that is, if it is determined that any of the ink cartridges 82a to 82d has been used up, the print control unit 91 Then, a high voltage is applied to the high voltage applying electrode terminal 90 corresponding to the ink cartridges 82a to 82d detected as having no ink. The print control unit 91 causes the high voltage generation unit 96 to generate a high voltage at the high voltage application electrode terminal 90 and applies the high voltage to the electronic tag 81 of the ink cartridge 82 that has run out of ink to destroy it.

  Subsequently, the print controller 91 displays on the monitor (not shown) of the connected personal computer that the ink cartridge 82 has run out of ink and the ink cartridge has run out, and notifies the user that the ink cartridge has run out. (Step S209).

  Then, the print controller 91 determines whether or not the replenishment of the ink cartridge 82 that has run out of ink has been detected (step S210). In the print control unit 91, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 88a of the remaining amount detection sensor 88 is blocked by the ink filled in the ink cartridge 82, and the light received by the light receiving unit 88b becomes a predetermined amount or less. Thus, replenishment of the ink cartridge 82 is detected.

  When it is determined that the replenishment of the ink cartridge 82 without ink is detected (step S210; NO), the print control unit 91 determines whether or not the notification that the ink cartridge has run out has been released (step S211).

  If it is determined that the notification has not been released (step S211; NO), the process returns to step S210.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the replenishment of the ink cartridge 82 that has run out of ink has been detected (step S210; YES), and when it is determined that the notification has been released (step S211; YES), the print control unit 91 determines that the ink cartridge The notification of cut is stopped (step S212), and the process returns to step S201.

  As described above, in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, by using the ink cartridge 82 provided with the electronic tag 81, the ID code of the IC chip of the electronic tag 81 and the ID code stored in the ID code memory 932 of the printing apparatus 80 are used. Can be printed only when the two coincide with each other, and when one of the ink cartridges 82a to 82d is used up and the ink is exhausted, the electronic tag 81 is broken and cannot be used. As a result, the use of counterfeits can be sufficiently prevented, and the manufacture of counterfeits of usable ink cartridges 82 can be sufficiently prevented. In the printing apparatus 80 according to the present embodiment, since information on the IC chip of the electronic tag 81 cannot be obtained even if an attempt is made to regenerate the ink cartridge by examining the container or ink of the cartridge, imitations of usable ink cartridges are not available. It cannot be manufactured.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the first embodiment, the example in which the electronic tag 11 of the roll paper 12 is provided has been described. However, for each sheet (for example, plain paper such as A3, A4, B4, and B5, L plate paper of photographic paper, An electronic tag may be provided on an LL plate paper or the like. An electronic tag may be provided on the sticker sheet.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment (including the first to third modifications. The same applies hereinafter), the POS terminal device is described as an example of the device using the printing device. Any device that requires a printing device such as a printing machine, a photo vending machine, or an ECR (Electronic Cash Register) may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the protective member 113 of the electronic tag 11 may be provided with a crack or the like in advance so that it can be easily broken by the pressure roller 14. In this case, the internal IC chip 111 or the like needs to be sealed with a film or the like.

  Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of mountain-shaped metal plates 99 with sharp tip angles are formed in a mountain shape so that the electronic tag 11 is easily broken by the pressure roller 14. It may be embedded so that the front end portion thereof contacts the electronic tag 11. The electronic tag 11 is sandwiched between the pressure rollers 14 and stress is concentrated on the electronic tag 11 from the mountain-shaped tip portion of the metal plate 99, so that the electronic tag 11 is reliably destroyed. .

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the electronic tag 11 is broken by the pressure roller 14 has been described. However, the electronic tag 11 is provided on the surface of the roll paper 12, and the electronic tag 11 is scraped and collected by the cutter 19. You may do it. Alternatively, the electronic tag 11 may be broken by the pressure roller 14 and scraped off by the cutter 19 to be collected.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, instead of the pressure roller 14 or in addition to the pressure roller 14, a high voltage terminal may be provided to apply the high voltage to destroy the electronic tag 11.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the electronic tag 11 is provided on the roll paper 12 has been described. However, in a printing apparatus including an ink ribbon roll, in addition to the roll paper 12 or instead of the roll paper 12, An electronic tag may be provided on the ink ribbon roll. In this case, when it is detected that the ink ribbon roll has run out, the electronic tag is destroyed by the pressure roller.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the direction in which the electronic tag 11 is embedded in the roll paper 12 may be any direction as shown in FIG.

  In each of the above-described second exemplary embodiments, the example in which the electronic tag 81 is provided in the ink cartridge 82 has been described. However, the electronic tag may be provided in a consumable item such as an ink ribbon or a toner cartridge.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the example in which the electronic tag 81 is destroyed by applying a high voltage from the high voltage applying electrode terminal 90 has been described. However, as shown in FIG. The electronic tag 81 may be scraped off and collected by providing a compression spring 301, a guide 302, and a collection box 303 that are urging means for urging in the cartridge 82 direction. In this case, the electronic tag 81 is provided on the surface of the ink cartridge 82 exposed from the mounting portion 86 of the print head 83. When the ink in the ink cartridge 82 runs out, the compression of the compression spring 301 is released, and the electronic tag 81 is scraped off by the cutter 300 biased toward the ink cartridge 82. The scraped electronic tag 81 is collected in the collection box 303 through the guide 302.

  In each of the above embodiments, instead of destroying the electronic tag 11, a data clear unit may be provided to clear part or all of the content of the ID code of the electronic tag 11.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which a new ID code is downloaded from the management apparatus has been described. However, when the ID code is a common code, the ID code may be newly set manually.

  In each of the above embodiments, examples of thermal printers and inkjet printers have been described. However, the type of printing apparatus is not limited. For example, any type of printer may be used as long as the printer uses consumables such as a dot impact printer. The present invention can also be applied to a printer.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example of printing by the printing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to printing an image or the like.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the electronic tag is used as the identification data transmission device has been described. However, any device other than the electronic tag can be used as long as the device stores and transmits the identification data.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention can be realized using a normal computer system. For example, by installing the program from a medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 16 described above in a computer that controls the printing apparatus, A printing apparatus that executes the above-described processing can be configured.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a schematic block diagram of the electronic tag provided in the roll paper of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for controlling the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structural example of ID code memory shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing roll paper replenishment processing in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a paper end state of roll paper in the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a schematic block diagram when the roll paper of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is in a paper end state. It is a schematic block diagram of the printing apparatus which concerns on the 1st modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the printing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the printing apparatus which concerns on the 3rd modification of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic structure perspective view of the principal part of the printing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ of the ink cartridge illustrated in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is a block diagram for controlling the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12. It is a figure which shows the structural example of ID code memory shown in FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing ink cartridge replenishment processing in the printing apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example which embedded the cut-out metal plate in the roll paper of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a state in which an electronic tag is embedded in the roll paper of the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example which scrapes off an electronic tag with a cutter.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 50, 60, 70, 80 ... printing device, 11, 81 ... electronic tag, 111 ... IC chip, 113 ... protective member, 12 ... roll paper, 13 (13a, 13b) ) ... sensor for electronic tag, 14 (141a, 141b) ... pressure roller, 142 ... spring, 143 ... solenoid, 31, 91 ... print controller, 332, 932 ... ID Code memory, 34... Print head drive unit, 37... Pressure roller drive unit, 71... Encoder, 82 (82 a, 82 b, 82 c, 82 d) ... ink cartridge, 821. 83 ... Print head, 88 ... Remaining amount detection sensor, 89 ... Electronic tag reading section, 90 ... High voltage application electrode terminal, 94 ... Print head drive section, 96 ... High Voltage generator

Claims (11)

A printing device in which consumables for printing are detachably attached,
An identification data transmitting device that is provided in the consumables and transmits identification data for identifying the consumables;
An identification data receiving unit for receiving identification data transmitted from the identification data transmitting device;
An identification data storage unit in which identification data for identifying the consumables is stored in advance;
An identification data determination unit that determines whether or not the identification data received by the identification information data reception unit matches the previously stored identification data;
If the respective identification data match, a print execution unit that executes printing using the consumables;
A remaining amount detecting unit for detecting the remaining amount of the consumables;
A printing apparatus, comprising: an identification data erasure unit that erases the identification data of the identification data transmission device when it is detected that the remaining amount of the consumable item is exhausted. The identification data transmitting device is an electronic tag having an IC chip in which identification data is stored.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   When the consumable is printing paper, and the remaining amount detection unit detects that the printing paper has run out, the identification data erasing unit detects the identification data of the identification data transmitting device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer is erased.   The consumable item is an ink ribbon roll, and when the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the ink ribbon roll has run out, the identification data erasing unit erases the identification data of the identification data transmitting device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The consumable item is an ink cartridge, and when the remaining amount detecting unit detects that the ink of the ink cartridge has run out, the identification data erasing unit erases the identification data of the identification data transmitting device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The identification data erasure unit is a high voltage generation unit having a high voltage application electrode terminal, the high voltage application terminal is disposed so as to contact the identification data transmission device, and the remaining amount detection unit is the consumable item. When it is detected that there is no remaining amount, the high voltage application electrode terminal applies a high voltage to the identification data transmission device to erase the identification data of the identification data transmission device. The printing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification data erasing unit is a cutter, and the identification data transmission device is scraped off by the cutter.   5. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the identification data erasing unit is a pair of pressure rollers, and the identification data transmission device is sandwiched and destroyed by the pair of pressure rollers. apparatus.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a mountain-like metal plate is provided in contact with the electronic tag in the consumable item.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a crack is made in a protective member of the electronic tag. To the computer that controls the printing device,
An identification data transmission step for transmitting identification data for identifying a consumable from an identification data transmission device provided on the consumable for printing;
An identification data receiving step for receiving identification data transmitted from the identification data transmitting device;
An identification data determination step for determining whether or not the identification data of the identification data transmitting device and the previously stored identification data match;
If the respective identification data match, a print execution step for executing printing using the consumables;
A consumables remaining amount detecting step for detecting a remaining amount of the consumables;
When it is detected that the remaining amount of the consumable item is exhausted, an identification data erasing step for erasing the identification data of the identification data transmitting device;
A program characterized by having executed.

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