JP2006035483A - Liquid cartridge, liquid droplet ejecting apparatus, liquid cartridge reader, liquid cartridge managing system and management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid cartridge which can judge whether or not a liquid droplet ejection head of the used liquid cartridge can be reused on the basis of information on a use hysteresis of the liquid droplet ejection head, can manage inventory on the basis of whether or not the reuse is possible, and can further obtain reduction of a price through user's returning of a used ink cartridge, and to provide a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus, a liquid cartridge reader, a liquid cartridge managing system and a management method. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid cartridge 3 is equipped with the liquid droplet ejection head 23 and a storage part 21. The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus 1 writes use hysteresis data of the number of ejection abnormality detection times and an ejection abnormal state into the storage part 21. The liquid cartridge reader 40 reads the use hysteresis data from the storage part 21 of the liquid cartridge 3, judges if it can be reproduced, and generates a resale price. A managing computer 60 connects a plurality of the liquid cartridge readers 40 via a network 61, collects hysteresis data and carries out production control. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge, a droplet discharge device, a liquid cartridge reading device, a liquid cartridge management system, and a management method.

  An ink jet printer, which is one of the droplet discharge devices, forms an image on a predetermined sheet by discharging ink (liquid) from a plurality of nozzles from a droplet discharge head. In order to supply ink, an ink cartridge (liquid cartridge) is mounted on a carriage mounted on a head unit of an inkjet printer. The ink jet printer repeats ejection, whereby the ink filled in the ink cartridge is reduced and the ink is eventually emptied. When the ink becomes empty, the user of the inkjet printer purchases a new ink cartridge, removes the used ink cartridge from the carriage, and installs the new ink cartridge in the carriage. The used ink cartridge is collected when the user returns it to a store or the like, and is sent to the manufacturer. At present, manufacturers recycle ink cartridges using used ink cartridges as raw materials. However, if you clean the used ink cartridge, refill it with ink, and sell it again, the ink cartridge container Can be used more effectively.

  However, ink cartridges that have been used by inkjet printer users are not always returned to the store, but are often discarded as household waste. In addition, when an ink cartridge that has been used is cleaned and reused repeatedly, information such as how many times the ink cartridge has been recycled and what problems have occurred while being used in an inkjet printer is manufactured. There was a problem that it was difficult for the dealer to determine whether it was suitable for recycling.

  Conventionally, in order to solve such a problem, a circuit board having a storage unit having an area for storing rewritable data regarding the use history of the ink cartridge is provided, It is known that the usage status can be determined from data stored in a storage unit and a reproduction process suitable for the ink cartridge can be performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, even if the user purchases and replaces a new ink cartridge, the ink jet printer main body is collected for the trouble that the ink droplet cannot be ejected normally due to the ejection failure of the droplet ejection head, etc. The cause of the discharge failure must be investigated and repaired. In contrast, when the ink cartridge integrally provided with the droplet discharge head disclosed in Patent Document 2 is used, if the ink cartridge is replaced, the droplet discharge head is also replaced together. The problem will be solved roughly.

  In addition, even if the user returns the used ink cartridge to the store and collects it, no profit can be obtained, and therefore the collection rate is not improved. However, if an ink cartridge is constructed by integrally providing an expensive droplet discharge head, and the droplet discharge head is also collected and reused, some amount of money will be charged when the used ink cartridge is returned. It can be returned to the user. In particular, piezo-type droplet discharge heads using piezoelectric elements are expensive parts compared to other types of droplet-discharge heads such as the Bubble Jet (registered trademark) method. If the ink cartridge is provided and configured, the return amount paid to the user at the time of collection can be set high, leading to an improvement in the collection rate of the ink cartridge.

JP 2000-94715 A JP-A-7-17057

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the manufacturer can obtain information on the usage history of the collected ink cartridge, but cannot obtain the usage history of the droplet discharge head. There is a problem that it is impossible to determine whether or not the ejection head can be reused. Therefore, if it is determined that the ink cartridge can be reused without considering the usage history of the droplet discharge head, the liquid is used while the reused ink cartridge is in use (at a stage where there is a remaining amount of ink). This causes a problem that the frequency of occurrence of problems that the droplet discharge head cannot print normally increases.

  In addition, since the droplet discharge head has elements of precision processed parts and precision electronic parts, its lifespan is more dependent on the user's usage situation than the container part of the cartridge, and is initially assumed depending on the user's usage situation. Failure may occur earlier than the expected life. Therefore, in order to grasp as accurately as possible whether or not the droplet discharge head can be reused, it is necessary to grasp the usage history unique to the droplet discharge head. Incidentally, Patent Document 1 discloses, as data relating to the ink cartridge usage history, the number of times the ink cartridge has been regenerated, data relating to maintenance processing at the time of reproduction (cleaning status), the status of replacement of the components of the ink cartridge, the final use time, and the final ink end. The timing, usage environment data, ink cartridge manufacturing time, ink cartridge durability period, ink cartridge reproducible frequency, and the like are listed. However, since none of these data takes into account the use history unique to the droplet discharge head, as described above, it was impossible to correctly grasp the suitability of reuse of the ink cartridge with the droplet discharge head.

  Furthermore, when ink cartridges are reused, the number of ink cartridges that can be collected and reused, depending on the user's usage status, such that they cannot be reused earlier than expected, or the user will not return them. The (or ratio) and the collection timing are difficult to predict because they depend on factors on the user side. For this reason, it is difficult to predict and grasp the number of ink cartridges collected and the collection timing thereof, and there is also a problem that it is difficult to manage production by separately producing recycled products and new products.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to determine whether or not the liquid can be reused based on information on the usage history of the droplet discharge heads of the used liquid cartridge. Liquid cartridges, droplet ejection devices, liquid cartridge reading devices, liquid cartridges that can be judged, can be managed based on whether or not they can be reused, and the user can return the price by returning the used ink cartridges It is to provide a management system and a management method.

== Invention 1 ==
In order to solve the above problems, in the liquid cartridge of the present invention, a liquid storage unit that stores liquid, a liquid droplet discharge head that discharges liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit as liquid droplets, a storage unit, A liquid cartridge comprising a data exchange unit that enables data exchange between a storage unit and an external device, wherein the storage unit is manufacturing history data relating to a manufacturing history of the liquid cartridge, and the droplet discharge head The gist of the present invention is that it includes an area for storing rewritable history data having usage history data related to the usage history of data and reproduction history data related to the reproduction history of the droplet discharge head.

  According to this configuration, the liquid cartridge manufacturing history data, the history data including the droplet ejection head usage history data, and the reproduction history data are stored in the storage unit of the liquid cartridge. Whether the present liquid droplet ejection head can be reused by reading the history data stored in the storage unit when the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit of the liquid cartridge becomes empty by repetition. Judgment is possible.

== Invention 2 ==
In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, the droplet discharge head is mounted so as to be reusable.

  According to this configuration, by recovering the used liquid cartridge, the droplet discharge head can be regenerated and incorporated into a new liquid cartridge, so that the cost of the droplet discharge head can be suppressed. Thus, the user can purchase an equivalent liquid cartridge at a low price by bringing the used liquid cartridge into a store or the like.

== Invention 3 ==
In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, the droplet discharge head and the storage unit are reused as at least a pair, and the history data stored in the storage unit is erased even if the storage unit is reused. The history data is continuously written without any change.

  According to this configuration, when the liquid cartridge is regenerated, the droplet discharge head and the storage unit can be managed as a pair, and even if the droplet discharge head is incorporated into a new liquid cartridge and reused, the past usage history of the droplet discharge head Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the droplet discharge head reused a plurality of times can be reused.

== Invention 4 ==
In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, the use history data includes the number of ejection abnormality detections of the droplet ejection head.

  According to this configuration, by reading the usage history data from the storage unit of the liquid cartridge, it is possible to know how many times a discharge abnormality has been detected by this droplet discharge head, so the droplet discharge head can be reused. Can be determined.

== Invention 5 ==
In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, the usage history data includes a discharge abnormality status indicating whether or not a discharge abnormality that cannot be recovered remains in the droplet discharge head.

  According to this configuration, by reading the usage history data from the storage unit included in the liquid cartridge, it is possible to know whether or not the liquid droplet ejection head has an ejection failure that cannot be recovered. Whether it can be reused can be determined.

== Invention 6 ==
In the liquid cartridge of the present invention, the reproduction history data includes the number of reuses of the droplet discharge head.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to know how many times the droplet discharge head has been reused by reading the reproduction history data from the storage unit of the liquid cartridge, so whether the droplet discharge head can be reused. Can be determined.

== Invention 7 ==
In order to solve the above-described problem, the droplet ejection device according to the present invention is a droplet ejection device having a mounting portion capable of mounting the liquid cartridge in a readable / writable state via the data transfer unit. A discharge abnormality detection unit that detects discharge abnormality of the droplet discharge head; and a use history writing unit that writes the use history data to the storage unit by the data transfer unit of the liquid cartridge. And

  According to this configuration, when the ejection abnormality of the liquid droplet ejection head of the liquid cartridge is detected, the number of ejection abnormality detections in the usage history data of the storage unit is updated, and the ejection abnormality of whether or not the ejection abnormality that cannot be recovered remains. Since the situation is written, it can be determined whether the droplet discharge head can be reused.

== Invention 8 ==
In the droplet discharge device of the present invention, the manufacturing history reading unit that reads the manufacturing history data held in the storage unit by the data transfer unit of the liquid cartridge, and the liquid cartridge from the manufacturing history data A mounting determination unit that determines whether or not the droplet discharge device can be used at the mounting position.

  According to this configuration, when the liquid cartridge is mounted at the mounting position of the droplet discharge device, it is determined whether or not the mounting position is correct by reading the manufacturing history data stored in the storage unit included in the liquid cartridge. be able to.

== Invention 9 ==
In order to solve the above-described problem, in the liquid cartridge reading device according to the present invention, the used liquid cartridge can be mounted in a state in which it can be read through the data transfer unit. A liquid cartridge reading device including a liquid cartridge mounting unit, wherein a history reading unit that reads the history data from the storage unit by the data transfer unit, and whether or not the liquid cartridge is reproducible is determined from the history data. The gist of the present invention is that it includes a reproduction determination unit that generates reproduction determination data having the determination result contents, and a display unit that displays the reproduction determination data.

  According to this configuration, when the user brings a used liquid cartridge into the store, the store clerk can regenerate the cartridge by simply mounting the used liquid cartridge on the liquid cartridge loading unit of the liquid cartridge reading device. It can be known from the display on the display section. This facilitates the separation of used liquid cartridges into those that can be regenerated and those that cannot be regenerated.

== Invention 10 ==
The liquid cartridge reading device according to the present invention further includes a price determination unit that determines a price for collecting the liquid cartridge and reselling it as a replacement based on the history data of the liquid cartridge read from the history reading unit. The price is displayed on the display unit.

  According to this configuration, when the user brings a used liquid cartridge to the store, the store clerk simply installs the used liquid cartridge in the liquid cartridge mounting portion of the liquid cartridge reading device, and the display unit has an equivalent product. The price to resell is displayed. Thus, the user can purchase at a price obtained by subtracting the reduced amount from the standard price based on the state of the used liquid cartridge from which the equivalent liquid cartridge is collected. As a result, the user can purchase an equivalent product at a low price by returning the used liquid cartridge, which leads to an improvement in the recovery rate of the used liquid cartridge.

== Invention 11 ==
The liquid cartridge reading device of the present invention further includes a network transmission unit that transmits the history data and the reproduction determination data of the liquid cartridge via a network.

  According to this configuration, since the history data and the regeneration determination data of the liquid cartridge can be transmitted via the network by the network transmission unit, the liquid cartridge shipped to the market is collected by collecting the transmitted data. It becomes easy to grasp the sales status, collection status, recyclability status, etc.

== Invention 12 ==
In order to solve the above problems, in the liquid cartridge management system of the present invention, a plurality of the liquid cartridge reading devices are connected to a management computer via a network, and the history data and the regeneration determination data of the liquid cartridge are stored. A liquid cartridge management system for collecting and managing, wherein the management computer receives the history data and the reproduction determination data transmitted from the liquid cartridge reading device, the history data and the reproduction determination data And an inventory information updating unit that updates the inventory information of the liquid cartridge based on the above.

  According to this configuration, since the liquid cartridge reading device installed in the store transmits history data and reproduction determination data related to the liquid cartridge to the management computer installed in the production factory via the network, the production is performed. In a factory, it becomes easy to grasp the sales status, collection status, recyclability status, etc. of liquid cartridges shipped to the market.

== Invention 13 ==
The liquid cartridge management system of the present invention further includes a production management unit that performs production management of the liquid cartridge based on the inventory information.

  According to this configuration, since the liquid cartridge reading device installed in the store transmits history data and reproduction determination data related to the liquid cartridge to the management computer installed in the production factory via the network, the production is performed. The factory can grasp the excess and deficiency of the liquid cartridge in the market, can quickly produce and supply the deficiency, and does not need to have a wasteful inventory.

== Invention 14 ==
In order to solve the above problems, in the liquid cartridge management method of the present invention, the liquid cartridge reading device to which the liquid cartridge can be mounted, and a management computer in which a plurality of the liquid cartridge reading devices are connected via a network; The liquid cartridge management method is configured to include the use history data written in the storage unit of the liquid cartridge by the control unit in the liquid droplet ejection apparatus in which the liquid cartridge is mounted. By mounting the liquid cartridge on the liquid cartridge reading device, the usage history reading step read by the control unit of the liquid cartridge reading device, and the control unit in the liquid cartridge reading device, the usage history data and the reproduction history are read. Based on data and used Determining whether or not the liquid droplet ejection head of the liquid cartridge is reproducible, and generating a regeneration determination data having the determination result content; and a network transmission unit of the liquid cartridge reading device, A transmission step of transmitting the history data and the regeneration determination data to a management computer; and an inventory information update unit of the management computer based on the history data and the regeneration determination data received via the network. And a stock information updating step for updating information.

  Thereby, the same effect as the liquid cartridge management system of the present invention can be obtained.

== Invention 15 ==
In the liquid cartridge management method of the present invention, in the liquid cartridge management method, the production management unit of the management computer performs production management of the liquid cartridge based on the inventory information after the inventory information update step. The management step is further provided.

  Thereby, the same effect as the liquid cartridge management system of the present invention can be obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

== Configuration of inkjet printer ==
First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer 1 which is a kind of droplet discharge device in an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view seen from above showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer 1 which is a kind of droplet discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 includes a carriage 4 for mounting an ink cartridge 3 which is a liquid cartridge described later. The carriage 4 is guided by a set of carriage shafts 5 and can move in the main scanning direction. It is like that. A part of the carriage 4 is fixed to a toothed belt 9, and the toothed belt 9 is stretched between a driving pulley 7 and a driven pulley 8 fixed to a rotating shaft of the motor 6.

  Furthermore, an encoder 10 is attached to the carriage 4, and a linear scale 11 is provided along the moving direction of the carriage 4. Thereby, the position of the ink jet head 23 (droplet discharge head) on the ink cartridge 3 mounted on the carriage 4 is detected by the encoder 10.

  In addition to the above, the ink jet printer 1 in FIG. 1 includes a cable 12 that electrically connects the carriage 4 and the system controller, and a wiper 13 that cleans the surface of an ink jet head 23 that is a liquid droplet ejection head described later. And a cap 14 for capping the nozzle substrate of the inkjet head 23.

  In the inkjet printer 1 having such a configuration, when the detection signal of the encoder 10 is input to a motor control circuit (not shown), the rotation operation of the motor 6 is controlled by the motor control circuit as follows. That is, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration, inversion, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration, inversion, and so on are controlled.

  Along with the operation of the motor 6, the carriage 4 repeats reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction, and the constant speed section corresponds to the printing area. Therefore, the ink cartridge 3 mounted on the carriage 4 at the constant speed is loaded. Ink is ejected onto the recording paper a from the nozzles of the mounted inkjet head 23. As a result, predetermined characters and images are recorded on the recording paper a by the ink.

== Configuration of ink cartridge ==
Next, the configuration of an ink cartridge 3 which is a kind of liquid cartridge in an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink cartridge 3 which is a kind of liquid cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The ink cartridge 3 includes an ink chamber 20 that is a liquid storage unit, a storage unit 21, a data transfer unit 22, and an inkjet head 23 that is a droplet discharge head. Ink, which is a liquid in the ink chamber 20, is supplied to the inkjet head 23. The ink jet head 23 has a contact (not shown) for receiving a control signal from the control unit 32 of the ink jet printer 1 when mounted on the carriage 4 of the ink jet printer 1. The storage unit 21 is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory element such as an EEPROM, and manufacturing history data is written when the ink cartridge 3 is manufactured. Usage history data is written by the inkjet printer 1 and further reproduced. Playback history data is written at this point. The data transfer unit 22 is an input / output unit for reading and writing data in the storage unit 21 from an external device, and may be configured by a contact-type contact or a wireless transmission / reception unit (non-contact type). Also good.

== Configuration of inkjet printer and ink cartridge ==
Next, a configuration in a state where the ink cartridge 3 is attached to the ink jet printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating functions in a state where the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the inkjet printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The ink jet printer 1 includes a mounting unit 30 for mounting the ink cartridge 3 and a control unit 32. The control unit 32 further includes at least a CPU 33, a ROM 34, a RAM 35, and an ejection abnormality detection unit 36. The carriage 4 has a plurality of mounting portions 30 for mounting a plurality of ink cartridges 3 such as for black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink. The mounting unit 30 includes a data transfer unit 31 at a position facing the data transfer unit 22 provided in the ink cartridge 3 when the ink cartridge 3 is mounted. Further, the mounting unit 30 has a contact point (not shown) for sending a control signal from the control unit 32 of the ink jet printer 1 to the ink jet head 23 of the ink cartridge 3 when the ink cartridge 3 is mounted.

  The data transmission / reception unit 31 may be configured by a contact type contact point, or may be configured by a wireless transmission / reception unit (non-contact type). The data transfer unit 31 is connected to the control unit 32, and the manufacturing history reading unit 38 of the control unit 32 accesses the storage area of the storage unit 21 via the data transfer unit 31 and the data transfer unit 22 of the ink cartridge 3. Read manufacturing history data. Next, the mounting determination unit 39 of the control unit 32 determines whether or not the mounting unit 30 in which the ink cartridge 3 is mounted is usable based on the read manufacturing history data.

  The use history writing unit 37 of the control unit 32 accesses the storage area of the storage unit 21 via the data transfer unit 31 and the data transfer unit 22 of the ink cartridge 3 and writes the use history data.

Next, the function of the ejection abnormality detection unit 36 of the inkjet printer 1 will be briefly described.
A piezoelectric (piezoelectric element) type inkjet head 23 that is an embodiment of the inkjet printer 1 is not shown, but includes a diaphragm, an actuator that displaces the diaphragm, and a liquid filled therein. A cavity in which the internal pressure is increased and decreased, and a nozzle that communicates with the cavity and discharges ink as ink droplets by increasing and decreasing the pressure in the cavity.

  The inkjet printer 1 forms an image on a predetermined sheet by ejecting ink droplets (droplets) from a plurality of nozzles (not shown) of the inkjet head 23. The inkjet head 23 of the inkjet printer 1 is provided with a large number of nozzles, but some nozzles are clogged due to an increase in the viscosity of the ink, mixing of bubbles, adhesion of dust and paper dust, and the like. Ink droplets may not be ejected. When the nozzles are clogged, missing dots occur in the image, which causes the image quality to deteriorate.

  In order to eliminate such problems, as a method for inspecting the presence or absence of ejection of ink droplets, the ejection abnormality detection unit 36 detects residual vibration of the diaphragm, and based on the detected residual vibration of the diaphragm, Abnormal discharge ejection is detected, and an abnormal discharge detection process is performed to confirm the operation of each nozzle.

  When the ejection abnormality is detected, the control unit 32 performs recovery processing such as pump suction and wiping on the inkjet head 23. The pump suction is a method of recovering clogging by bringing the cap 14 of FIG. 1 into close contact with the nozzle substrate of the ink jet head 23 and sucking ink from the nozzle with a suction pump connected to the cap 14 (not shown). is there. Wiping is a clogging recovery method in which the surface of the nozzle substrate of the inkjet head 23 is cleaned with the wiper 13 shown in FIG.

== Configuration of ink cartridge reading device ==
Next, a schematic configuration of an ink cartridge reading device 40, which is a kind of liquid cartridge reading device in an embodiment embodying the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink cartridge reading device 40 which is a kind of liquid cartridge reading device.

  The ink cartridge reading device 40 includes a cartridge mounting unit 41 that is a liquid cartridge mounting unit that mounts a used ink cartridge 300, a display unit 49 that is a display unit, a control unit 43, and a network transmission unit 47. The control unit 43 further includes at least a CPU 44, a ROM 45, and a RAM 46. The cartridge mounting unit 41 includes a data transfer unit 42 at a position facing the data transfer unit 22 provided in the used ink cartridge 300 when the used ink cartridge 300 is mounted. The data transmission / reception unit 42 may be configured by a contact type contact point, or may be configured by a wireless transmission / reception unit (non-contact type).

  The data transfer unit 42 is connected to the control unit 43, and the history reading unit 50 of the control unit 43 accesses the storage area of the storage unit 21 via the data transfer unit 42 and the data transfer unit 22 of the used ink cartridge 300. Read historical data. Next, the reproduction determination unit 51 of the control unit 43 determines whether the used ink cartridge 300 is reproducible based on the read history data, generates reproduction determination data as the determination result, and generates reproduction determination data. Is displayed on the display unit 49.

  The price determination unit 52 of the control unit 43 generates a price for resale based on the reproduction determination data and the read history data, and displays the price on the display unit 49 which is a display unit.

  The network transmission unit 47 transmits the history data and the reproduction determination data to the management computer 60 described later via the network 61 described later.

== Configuration of managed computer ==
Next, a schematic configuration of the management computer 60 that constructs the liquid cartridge management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network connection between the ink cartridge reading device 40 and the management computer 60 of the present invention.

  The ink cartridge reading device 40 is installed in a store that sells the ink cartridge 3 and collects the used ink cartridge 300. The ink cartridge reading device 40 of each dealer is connected to the network 61 via the network transmission unit 47. The management computer 60 includes a control unit 62, and the control unit 62 further includes at least a CPU 63, a ROM 64, a RAM 65, and an inventory database 66. The management computer 60 is installed in the production factory for the ink cartridge 3 and is connected to the network 61. The ink cartridge reading device 40 transmits the history data and the reproduction determination data of the used ink cartridge 300 to the management computer via the network 61 connected to the network transmission unit 47, and the data reception unit 67 of the control unit 62 receives the data. To do.

  The manufacturing history data included in the history data includes identification information regarding the model number and serial number of the ink cartridge 3, liquid information regarding the color and type of the filled ink, and the model of the ink jet printer 1 that can use the ink cartridge 3. Includes information on compatible models.

  The inventory information update unit 68 of the control unit 62 writes the usage history data included in the received history data in the area of the inventory database 66 corresponding to the serial number of the manufacturing history data included in the history data. When the received reproduction determination data cannot be reproduced, 1 is subtracted from the inventory quantity in the inventory database 66 corresponding to the model number of the manufacturing history data. Next, the production management unit 69 of the control unit 62 issues a production instruction to start a new production when the stock quantity of the ink cartridge 3 corresponding to the model number of the production history data becomes less than a predetermined value.

== Operation of wearing determination processing ==
Next, when the ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the mounting portion 30 of the carriage 4 of the ink jet printer 1, it is determined whether or not the mounted ink cartridge 3 can be used in the mounting portion 30. The processing of the mounting determination unit 39 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the mounting determination unit 39 of the control unit 32 of the inkjet printer 1.

  First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge 3 is attached to the attachment portion 30 of the carriage 4 of the ink jet printer 1. When the ink cartridge 3 is attached (Yes), the process proceeds to step S103, where it is attached. If not (No), it waits in step S101 until it is attached.

  Next, in step S <b> 103, the manufacturing history data held in the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3 is read and written in the RAM 35.

  Next, in step S105, it is determined whether or not the compatible model information of the manufacturing history data written in the RAM 35 matches the model information held in the ROM 34. If they match (Yes), step S107 is performed. If no match is found (No), the process moves to step S111.

  Next, in step S107, it is determined whether or not the liquid information of the manufacturing history data written in the RAM 35 matches the liquid information of the mounted portion 30 held in the ROM 34. ) Proceeds to step S109, and if they do not match (No), the process proceeds to step S111.

  Next, in step S109, it is determined that the ink cartridge 3 is compatible with the mounting unit 30 on which the ink cartridge 3 is mounted and can be used, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S111, it is determined that the ink cartridge 3 is incompatible with the mounting unit 30 on which the ink cartridge 3 is mounted, a warning message is displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the inkjet printer 1, and the process proceeds to step S113. It determines with it being unusable, and complete | finishes a process.

== Operation of usage history data update processing ==
Next, when the inkjet printer 1 performs a predetermined number of printing (droplet ejection) operations or when the inkjet head 23 performs ejection abnormality detection processing that is performed when printing cannot be performed normally (ejection abnormality), the control unit The process of writing usage history data 32 to the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the control unit 32 of the inkjet printer 1 writes usage history data to the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3.

  First, in step S <b> 121, the ejection abnormality detection unit 36 performs ejection abnormality detection processing on the inkjet head 23.

  Next, in step S123, the discharge abnormality detection unit 36 determines whether or not there is a discharge abnormality in the inkjet head 23. If there is a discharge abnormality (Yes), the process proceeds to step S125, and there is no discharge abnormality. For (No), the process proceeds to step S137.

  Next, in step S125, use history data is read from the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3, and the number of ejection abnormality detections included in the use history data is written in the RAM 35.

  Next, in step S127, the use history writing unit 37 adds 1 to the number of ejection abnormality detections written in the RAM 35, and writes the number of ejection abnormality detections in the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3.

  In step S129, the inkjet head 23 is subjected to recovery processing such as pump suction and wiping.

  Next, in step S131, the ejection abnormality detection process is performed again on the inkjet head 23 on which the recovery process has been performed.

  Next, in step S133, the discharge abnormality detection unit 36 determines whether or not there is a discharge abnormality in the inkjet head 23. If there is a discharge abnormality (Yes), the process proceeds to step S135, and there is no discharge abnormality. For (No), the process proceeds to step S137.

  In step S135, the abnormal discharge state = “present” is written in the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S137, the abnormal discharge state = “none” is written in the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3, and the process ends.

== Operation of ink cartridge reading device ==
Next, processing performed by the control unit 43 of the ink cartridge reading device 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the control unit 43 of the ink cartridge reading device 40.

  When the used ink cartridge 300 returned to the store by the user becomes the reproduction determination data = “impossible”, the price H is used as the price for reselling the ink cartridge 3 to the user, and the reproduction determination data. Assume that the price L has been set as the price for reselling the ink cartridge 3 to the user when “= Yes”. The relationship between the standard price, the price H, and the price L of the ink cartridge 3 is standard price> price H> price L. In addition, it is assumed that the maximum value of the number of ejection abnormality detections that can be determined for regeneration is set to MAX1, and the maximum value of the number of reuses of the inkjet head 23 that can be determined for regeneration is also set to MAX2.

  First, in step S141, it is determined whether or not the used ink cartridge 300 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 41 of the ink cartridge reading device 40. If it is mounted (Yes), the process proceeds to step S143, where it is mounted. If not (No), the process waits in step S141.

  Next, in step S <b> 143, the history reading unit 50 reads history data from the storage unit 21 of the used ink cartridge 300 and writes it to the RAM 46.

  Next, in step S145, the reproduction determination unit 51 determines whether or not the ejection abnormality status of the usage history data included in the history data written in the RAM 46 is “Yes”, and when it is “Yes” ( If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S147, and if not “Yes” (No), the process proceeds to step S157.

  Next, in step S 147, the reproduction determination unit 51 writes reproduction determination data = “impossible” in the RAM 46.

  Next, in step S <b> 149, the price determination unit 52 writes price data = price H in the RAM 46.

  In step S 151, the reproduction determination data and price data written in the RAM 46 are displayed on the display unit 49.

  Next, in step S153, the network transmission unit 47 transmits the history data written in the RAM 46 and the contents of the reproduction determination data to the management computer 60 via the network 61, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S157, the reproduction determination unit 51 determines whether or not the number of ejection abnormality detections in the usage history data included in the history data written in the RAM 46 is greater than MAX1, and if so (Yes), the process proceeds to step S147. If not (NO), the process moves to step S159.

  Next, in step S159, the reproduction determination unit 51 determines whether or not the number of reuses of the inkjet history 23 of the reproduction history data included in the history data written in the RAM 46 is greater than MAX2, and when it is large (Yes). The process proceeds to step S147, and when it is not large (No), the process proceeds to step S161.

  Next, in step S <b> 161, the reproduction determination unit 51 writes reproduction determination data = “OK” in the RAM 46.

  Next, in step S163, the price determination unit 52 writes price data = price L in the RAM 46, and proceeds to step S151.

Note that the processing in step S143 corresponds to a usage history reading step.
Further, the processes in steps S145, S147, S157, S159, and S161 correspond to a reproduction determination step.
Moreover, the process of step S153 corresponds to a transmission step.

== Operation of management computer ==
Next, processing of the control unit 62 of the management computer 60 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 62 of the management computer 60.

  First, in step S171, when data is transmitted from the ink cartridge reading device 40 via the network 61, the data receiving unit 67 receives history data and reproduction determination data.

  Next, in step S173, the inventory information update unit 68 writes the usage history data and the reproduction determination data in the area of the inventory database 66 corresponding to the serial number of the manufacturing history data included in the received history data.

  Next, in step S175, the inventory information update unit 68 determines whether or not the reproduction determination data is “impossible”. If it is “impossible” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S177 and “impossible”. If not (No), the process is terminated.

  Next, in step S177, the inventory information update unit 68 subtracts “1” from the inventory quantity data in the area of the inventory database 66 corresponding to the model number of the manufacturing history data included in the received history data, and obtains the inventory quantity data. Update.

  Next, in step S179, the production management unit 69 determines whether or not the inventory quantity data updated in step S177 is less than a predetermined value. If it is less (Yes), the process proceeds to step S181. If not (No), the process is terminated.

  Next, in step S181, the production management unit 69 instructs the production department to newly produce the ink cartridge 3 corresponding to the model number of the production history data included in the received history data, and ends the process.

Note that the processing in steps S171, S173, S175, and S177 corresponds to the inventory information update step.
Further, the processing in steps S179 and S181 corresponds to a production management step.

== Ink cartridge logistics configuration ==
Next, the physical distribution configuration of the ink cartridge 3 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of physical distribution of the ink cartridge 3.

  The ink cartridge 3 is produced at the production factory 82, and the produced ink cartridge 3 is delivered to the store 81, and the user 80 purchases the ink cartridge 3 from the store 81 and uses it. A management computer 60 is installed in the production factory 82, and an ink cartridge reading device 40 is installed in each of the sales outlets 81, which are connected to the management computer 60 via the network 61. Hereinafter, the distribution of the ink cartridge 3 will be described.

  First, the user 80 purchases the ink cartridge 3 from the store 81 (step S1). The ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the inkjet printer 1 owned by the user 80, and the printing (droplet ejection) operation is repeated.

  When a predetermined number of printing operations are performed, the inkjet printer 1 performs ejection abnormality detection processing to determine whether there is a problem with the droplet ejection operation of the inkjet head 23 (step S121 in FIG. 7). When an ejection abnormality is found, the usage history writing unit 37 (FIG. 3) of the inkjet printer 1 writes usage history data to the storage unit 21 (FIG. 3) of the ink cartridge 3 (step S2).

  When the printing operation is continued, the ink in the ink chamber 20 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the ink cartridge 3 is eventually exhausted. In order to purchase a new ink cartridge 3, the user 80 removes the used ink cartridge 300 from the inkjet printer 1 and returns it to the store 81 (step S3).

In the store 81, the used ink cartridge 300 returned from the user 80 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 41 (FIG. 4) of the ink cartridge reading device 40. After the mounting, the reproduction determination data for the used ink cartridge 300 and the resale price are displayed on the display unit 49 (FIG. 4) (step S4). The sales shop 81 sells the ink cartridge 3 to the user 80 based on the sales price of the ink cartridge 3 displayed on the display unit 49 (FIG. 4). Further, when it is displayed that the ink can be regenerated based on the reproduction determination data displayed on the display unit 49, the store 81 returns the regenerated used ink cartridge 300 to the production factory 82 (step S6). On the other hand, if the display unit 49 indicates that the reproduction is impossible, the store 81 returns the ink cartridge 309 that cannot be reproduced to the production factory 82 (step S9).
When the production factory and the disposal factory exist separately, the reusable used ink cartridge 300 is returned to the production factory, and the non-recyclable ink cartridge 309 is sent to the disposal factory.

  The retail store 81 mounts the used ink cartridge 300 in the cartridge mounting unit 41 of the ink cartridge reading device 40, the reproduction determination is performed, and the reproduction determination data having the content of the determination result is generated and displayed on the display unit 49. At the same time, the ink cartridge reading device 40 transmits the history data and the reproduction determination data from the network transmission unit 47 to the management computer 60 of the production factory 82 via the network 61 (step S153 in FIG. 8). The data receiving unit 67 (FIG. 5) of the management computer 60 receives the history data and the reproduction determination data (step S171 in FIG. 9). The inventory information update unit 68 (FIG. 5) of the management computer 60 writes the usage history data and the reproduction determination data in the corresponding area of the inventory database 66 (FIG. 5) based on the received identification information of the history data (step S5). .

  When the inventory of the ink cartridge 3 of a predetermined model number becomes less than a predetermined value, the production management unit 69 (FIG. 5) of the management computer 60 instructs the production factory 82 to newly produce the ink cartridge 3 of the predetermined model number ( Step S11).

  When the reusable used ink cartridge 300 is returned to the production factory 82 (step S6), the production factory 82 performs a regeneration process on the used ink cartridge 300 (step S7), and the new ink cartridge 3 is sold to the store. It is shipped to 81 (step S8).

  On the other hand, when the non-recyclable ink cartridge 309 is returned to the production factory 82 (step S9), the production factory 82 performs a failure analysis on the non-reproducible ink cartridge 309 (step S10) and is discarded.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the use history data of the ink jet head 23 of the ink cartridge 3 is written in the storage unit 21 while the printing operation is repeated, the ink jet head 23 detects how many ejection abnormalities have occurred. You can grasp what happened. Further, since it is possible to grasp whether or not there is an ejection abnormality that cannot be recovered in the inkjet head 23, it is determined whether or not the used ink cartridge 300 is reproducible in the ink cartridge reading device 40 installed in the store 81. Can do. In addition, the consumption level of the used ink cartridge 300 can be grasped from the use history data and the reproduction history data, and it can be determined whether or not the ink cartridge 300 can be reproduced.

  Further, the price at which the new ink cartridge 3 is resold can be determined according to the degree of consumption of the used ink cartridge 300. For the user 80 who has returned the used ink cartridge 300 with little consumption, the price is about the refilling cost of ink. If it is sold at (price L) and is consumed or cannot be reproduced, it is sold at a price lower than the standard price and higher than the price L (price H). By returning the used ink cartridge 300 to the store 81, the user 80 can purchase a new ink cartridge 3 at a low price, leading to an effect of increasing the collection rate of the used ink cartridge.

  When the used ink cartridge 300 is returned to the store 81, the history data is transmitted from the ink cartridge reading device 40 to the management computer 60 installed in the production factory via the network 61. The inventory can be grasped instantly, and a new production instruction can be issued and supplied to the market when the stock falls short of a predetermined value. This eliminates the need to hold useless inventory.

  Further, since the used ink cartridge 300 with the inkjet head 23 is collected by a manufacturer (production factory) for reuse, there is an advantage that the manufacturer can check the quality of the inkjet head 23 and confirm the long life, As reliability increases and resources can be used many times effectively, the environmental load is reduced.

  Further, by separating the ink jet head 23 from the main body of the ink jet printer 1, the main body of the ink jet printer 1 can be produced at low cost.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and can of course be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, a modification will be described.

(Modification 1)
Next, a first modification of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, the operation of the ink cartridge reading device 40 has been described so that the price is H in step S149 and the price L in step S163 as shown in FIG. 8, but the used ink cartridge 300 has been returned. The person 80 may be sold at the same price L.
At this time, the cost of the inkjet head 23 divided by the number of reuses at which the inkjet head 23 can be expected to be reused is used as the amortized price for the one-time use of the inkjet head 23 to the user. If the number of reuses that can be expected is large, the burden fee for one time can be set as a slight value.
As a result, even when the used ink cartridge 300 that cannot be recycled is returned, the user 80 can purchase it at the price L, which leads to further improvement in the collection efficiency.

  Further, the user 80 may simply return the used ink cartridge 300 to the store 81 and refund the difference if the equivalent ink cartridge 3 is not purchased.

(Modification 2)
Next, a second modification of the present invention will be described. The manufacturing history data may include information on manufacturing factory and date of manufacture in addition to identification information, liquid information, and compatible model information. As a result, the management computer 60 can specify the manufacturing factory and date of manufacture where troubles frequently occur.

  Further, the usage history data may include information such as the number of pump suctions and the number of wipings related to the type of recovery processing, the cumulative number of ejections of the inkjet head 23, the number of cumulative prints, etc. Good. Thereby, the management computer 60 can obtain more information about the cause of the malfunction of the ink jet head 23, can select a reproduction processing method, and can perform a prompt reproduction process.

  Further, the reproduction history data may include replacement part history information at the time of reproduction processing in addition to the number of times the inkjet head 23 is reused. As a result, the used ink cartridge 300 that cannot be reclaimed is disassembled, the usable parts are selected, and can be used for the regeneration process of other ink cartridges.

(Modification 3)
Next, a third modification of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, the liquid cartridge reading device has been described as having the configuration of the ink cartridge reading device 40. However, the cartridge mounting portion 41 for mounting the ink cartridge 3 is made independent from the ink cartridge reading device 40, and a general-purpose personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as the ink cartridge reading device 40). , PC) with a connection cable (USB, IEEE 1394, SCSI, serial port, etc.), and causing the PC to execute a processing program in the control unit 43 may be considered. With such a configuration, the display (CRT, liquid crystal, etc.) connected to the PC is the display unit 49, the network connection function mounted on the PC is the network transmission unit 47, and the processing program is stored in the storage medium (CD- ROM, FD, MO, etc.) can be installed on the PC. A reading apparatus constituted by such a cartridge mounting portion 41, a connection cable, and a PC can be prepared at a relatively low cost.

(Modification 4)
Next, a fourth modification of the present invention will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the case of an ink jet printer as a droplet discharge device and the case of an ink cartridge as a liquid cartridge has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and consumption management of a liquid chamber using a cartridge of a liquid discharge consumption device such as a medicine or food It can also be applied to recycling and re-supply. For example, the present invention can also be applied to liquid substance supply, recovery, and management methods for seasonings such as a microwave oven with a seasoning supply device.

1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet printer 1 which is a kind of droplet discharge device in an embodiment embodying the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink cartridge 3 which is a kind of liquid cartridge. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating functions in a state where an ink cartridge 3 is mounted on the inkjet printer 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ink cartridge reading device 40 which is a kind of liquid cartridge reading device. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network connection between an ink cartridge reading device and a management computer. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of a mounting determination unit 39 of the control unit 32 of the inkjet printer 1. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the control unit 32 of the ink jet printer 1 writes usage history data to the storage unit 21 of the ink cartridge 3. 5 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a control unit 43 of the ink cartridge reading device 40. The flowchart which shows the process of the control part 62 of the management computer 60. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of physical distribution of the ink cartridge 3. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer as droplet discharge device, 3 ... Ink cartridge as liquid cartridge, 4 ... Carriage, 5 ... Carriage shaft, 6 ... Motor, 13 ... Wiper, 14 ... Cap, 20 ... Ink chamber as liquid container DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Memory | storage part, 22 ... Data transfer part, 23 ... Inkjet head as a droplet discharge head, 30 ... Mounting part, 31 ... Data transfer part, 32 ... Control part, 33 ... CPU, 34 ... ROM, 35 ... RAM , 36 ... ejection abnormality detection unit, 37 ... use history writing unit, 38 ... manufacturing history reading unit, 39 ... mounting determination unit, 40 ... ink cartridge reading device as a liquid cartridge reading device, 41 ... cartridge mounting unit, 42 ... data Transfer unit, 43 ... Control unit, 44 ... CPU, 45 ... ROM, 46 ... RAM, 47 ... Network transmission unit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Display part, 50 ... History reading part, 51 ... Reproduction determination part, 52 ... Price determination part, 60 ... Management computer, 61 ... Network, 62 ... Control part, 63 ... CPU, 64 ... ROM, 65 ... RAM, 66 ... Stock database, 67 ... Data receiving section, 68 ... Inventory information update section, 69 ... Production management section, 300 ... Used ink cartridge, 309 ... Non-recyclable ink cartridge, a ... Recording paper.

Claims (15)

  It is possible to exchange data between a liquid storage unit that stores liquid, a droplet discharge head that discharges liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit as droplets, a storage unit, and the storage unit and an external device. A liquid cartridge including a data transfer unit, wherein the storage unit includes manufacturing history data relating to a manufacturing history of the liquid cartridge, usage history data relating to a use history of the droplet discharge head, and A liquid cartridge comprising: an area for storing history data having reproduction history data relating to a reproduction history so as to be rewritable.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the liquid cartridge is mounted so that the droplet discharge head can be reused.   The liquid cartridge is reused as at least a pair of the droplet discharge head and the storage unit, and the history data stored in the storage unit is not erased even if the storage unit is reused, 3. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the history data is continuously written as it is.   4. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the usage history data includes the number of ejection abnormality detections of the droplet ejection head. 5.   5. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the usage history data includes a discharge abnormality status indicating whether or not there is a discharge abnormality that cannot be recovered from the droplet discharge head.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction history data includes the number of reuses of the droplet discharge head.   A liquid droplet ejection apparatus having a mounting unit capable of mounting the liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in a state where the liquid cartridge can be read and written via the data transfer unit. A droplet discharge apparatus comprising: a discharge abnormality detection unit that detects discharge abnormality; and a use history writing unit that writes the use history data to the storage unit by the data transfer unit of the liquid cartridge.   The liquid droplet ejection device includes: a manufacturing history reading unit that reads the manufacturing history data held in the storage unit by the data transfer unit of the liquid cartridge; and the liquid cartridge from the manufacturing history data. The liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a mounting determination unit that determines whether or not the mounting position is usable.   The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is used after being mounted on the droplet discharge device according to claim 7 or 8, can be mounted in a readable state via the data transfer unit. A liquid cartridge reading device including a liquid cartridge mounting unit, wherein a history reading unit that reads the history data from the storage unit by the data transfer unit, and whether or not the liquid cartridge is reproducible is determined from the history data. A liquid cartridge reading apparatus comprising: a reproduction determination unit that generates reproduction determination data having the determination result content; and a display unit that displays the reproduction determination data.   The liquid cartridge reading device has a price determination unit that determines a price for collecting the liquid cartridge and reselling it as an exchange based on the history data of the liquid cartridge read from the history reading unit, and the display unit The liquid cartridge reading device according to claim 9, wherein the price is displayed on the display.   11. The liquid cartridge reading device according to claim 9, wherein the liquid cartridge reading device includes a network transmission unit that transmits the history data and the reproduction determination data of the liquid cartridge via a network. .   The plurality of liquid cartridge reading devices according to any one of claims 9 to 11 are connected to a management computer via a network, and the history data of the liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 A liquid cartridge management system that collects and manages the regeneration determination data, wherein the management computer receives the history data and the regeneration determination data transmitted from the liquid cartridge reading device, and the history data And a stock information update unit that updates stock information of the liquid cartridge based on the regeneration determination data.   The liquid cartridge management system according to claim 12, further comprising a production management unit that performs production management of the liquid cartridge based on the inventory information. The liquid cartridge reading device according to any one of claims 9 to 11 capable of mounting the liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the plurality of liquid cartridge reading devices via a network. A liquid cartridge management method comprising: a connected management computer;
The control unit in the liquid droplet ejection apparatus to which the liquid cartridge is attached attaches the liquid cartridge that has been used to the liquid cartridge reading apparatus with the use history data written in the storage unit of the liquid cartridge. A usage history reading step read by the control unit of the liquid cartridge reading device,
The control unit in the liquid cartridge reading device determines whether or not the droplet discharge head of the used liquid cartridge can be regenerated based on the use history data and the replay history data, and the determination result A reproduction determination step for generating reproduction determination data having contents;
A transmission step in which the network transmission unit of the liquid cartridge reading device transmits the history data and the reproduction determination data to a management computer;
An inventory information update unit in which the inventory information update unit of the management computer updates the inventory information of the liquid cartridge based on the history data and the regeneration determination data received via a network;
A liquid cartridge management method comprising: 15. The liquid cartridge management method according to claim 14, further comprising a production management step in which a production management unit of the management computer performs production management of the liquid cartridge based on the inventory information after the inventory information update step. A liquid cartridge management method comprising:

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