JP2006181720A - Inkjet recording apparatus, ink tank and data communicating system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid especially generation of an erroneous operation in a following apparatus of two-line serial communication when an ink tank of the two-line serial communication and a recording head of three-line serial communication are connected on the same communication bus. <P>SOLUTION: A non-response command is performed (112) on either of the ink tanks (103 and 113) of the two-line serial communication on which ID is detected or the ink tanks (103 and 111) of the two-line serial communication on which no ID is detected. The performance of the non-response command is a processing that becomes non-response during a period of clock designated by a transmitting data. It is possible thereby to prevent the ink tank of the two-line serial communication connected with the same bus from generating the erroneous operation by the communication even when a communication to the recording head of the three-line serial communication is performed during the designated period after this transaction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink tank, and a data communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a data communication system between an apparatus main body in an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink tank attached thereto, and communication having different communication protocols. The present invention relates to data communication when slave devices are connected in parallel on the same communication line.

  Inkjet recording apparatuses used in printers and copiers today use many colors of ink for the purposes of high definition, high image quality, and high-speed printing. Therefore, a plurality of ink tanks for storing these inks are used accordingly. When a plurality of ink tanks are mounted and used, the control unit on the apparatus body side may identify each mounted ink tank and control various operations and processes in the apparatus. For example, information such as ink remaining amount and usage history is written in the memory of the ink tank and read out from the memory. As described above, in an ink jet recording apparatus, a data communication system is often configured in order to exchange various information between the apparatus main body side and the mounted ink tank.

  As for the identification of the ink tank, in order to prevent erroneous mounting when the ink tank is mounted due to replacement of the ink tank or the like, the ink tank may be identified as a result by changing the shape of the ink tank for each ink type. It has been broken. However, in such a form, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of ink tanks having different shapes corresponding to the type of ink when the ink tank is manufactured, and the manufacturing cost increases.

  One configuration of the above-described data communication system is known in which an electronic tag chip which is an information storage medium in which a nonvolatile memory is built in an ink tank is provided. According to this, in ink tank manufacturing, after ink is filled in the ink tank, it is possible to write the color information and ID of the ink filled in the nonvolatile memory of the tag chip and electronically distinguish the ink tank. The apparatus main body side can individually read the ID from the electronic tag chip of the mounted ink tank and know which ink tank is mounted.

  Not only the ID of the electronic tag chip but also serial communication is known as means for obtaining some information from the chip with a small number of terminals. Further, serial communication is known as three-wire serial communication performed at three terminals of a chip selection signal, a data signal, and a clock signal, and two-wire serial communication for selecting a communication partner by placing chip identification information on data. . The communication method of many standard devices is 3-wire serial communication. However, when it is necessary to connect many slave devices such as ink tanks to the communication line, 2-wire serial communication is considered for ease of mounting. It is efficient to use an electronic tag. Patent Document 1 describes a distributed processing system that avoids an increase in master LSI signal pins due to the addition of slave LSIs by 2-wire serial communication.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 are conventional data communication systems including an ink tank as a slave device (hereinafter also referred to as “slave device”) and a printing apparatus main body as a master device, respectively. It is a figure which shows the system of 2-wire serial communication. Each slave device is provided with an electronic tag chip.

  In FIG. 5, reference numerals 201 to 204 denote slave devices (ink tanks) each provided with an electronic tag chip having a three-wire serial communication function. In contrast, reference numeral 205 denotes a three-wire serial master device (hereinafter also referred to as “communication main device”). As shown in the figure, these master device and slave device are connected by three types of communication lines, that is, a communication clock line 251, a bidirectional communication data line 252, and selection signal lines 253 to 256 corresponding to the number of slave devices. It is. On the other hand, in FIG. 6, reference numerals 301 to 304 denote slave devices (ink tanks) each provided with an electronic tag chip having a two-wire serial communication function. In contrast, reference numeral 305 denotes a 2-wire serial master device (communication main apparatus). The master device and the slave device are connected by two types of communication lines, that is, a communication clock line 351 and a communication data line 352.

  As apparent from FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the case where the two-wire serial communication is used is advantageous in terms of mounting because the selection signal line is unnecessary, even when the number of slave devices is increased. There is no need for the communication main device to add a terminal for outputting a selection signal, and the system is highly flexible in terms of expandability.

JP 2000-3346 A

  By the way, as described above, an ink jet recording apparatus such as a printer that communicates with the apparatus main body by configuring the relationship between the main apparatus and the slave apparatus is the same for not only the ink tank but also the recording head that ejects ink. Communicate as a slave device. Such a recording head is often provided with a non-volatile memory, which is a standard EEPROM, in which information of the head is written.

  In this case, since both the ink tank and the recording head are usually mounted on the carriage and used, it is advantageous in mounting if the communication line of the ink tank and the communication line of the EEPROM in the recording head can be shared. However, since the standard EEPROM is generally a slave device for 3-wire serial communication and the electronic tag of the ink tank is 2-wire serial communication, slave devices having different communication protocols are connected on the same bus. May cause the following problems.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a slave device for 2-wire serial communication and a slave device for 3-wire serial communication are connected to the same communication line by a bus. In FIG. 7, reference numerals 401 to 403 are slave devices having a two-wire serial communication function, and for example, indicate ink tanks equipped with electronic tag chips. On the other hand, reference numeral 404 denotes a slave device having a three-wire serial communication function, and shows, for example, a recording head having an EEPROM.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing general operation timing of two-wire serial communication. In FIG. 8, CK indicates a clock signal for serial communication, and D indicates a bidirectional data signal for serial communication. Reference numerals 551 and 552 each denote one transaction in serial communication. 501 is an SOF code indicating the start of one communication transaction, 502 is ID data designating a slave device that is a specific ink tank, 503 is command data for the slave device, 504 is data necessary for processing the command, Reference numeral 505 denotes response data of the slave device for the command 503.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing by a slave device of 2-wire serial communication for one transaction of 2-wire serial communication. As shown in the figure, the slave device inspects the bit stream until SOF is detected in step 601. When the SOF is detected, the bit stream at the position corresponding to the ID is analyzed in step 602. If the ID is detected in step 603, the bit stream corresponding to the command is analyzed in step 604. That is, the slave device of the two-wire serial communication detects the SOF, and further detects the ID, and the slave device becomes effective only when the slave device communicates with the slave device according to the following command. Is to do. In other words, any two-wire serial slave device is not effective unless SOF is detected, and any device that does not detect the ID among the two-wire serial slave devices is not effective unless an ID is detected. . As described above, all slave devices of the two-wire serial communication operate in synchronization with the SOF.

  When a command is detected in step 605, the command is executed in step 606, and predetermined response processing corresponding to the command is performed in step 607. If the detection result in step 603 and step 605 is “N”, the slave device is not valid as described above, and standby processing for waiting for one transaction in steps 608, 609, and 610, respectively. To detect the SOF for processing the next transaction.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing general operation timing of 3-wire serial communication. In FIG. 10, CK represents a clock signal for serial communication, D represents a bidirectional data signal for serial communication, and CS represents a chip selection signal representing a communication data valid period. Reference numerals 751 and 752 denote one transaction of 3-wire serial communication. Reference numeral 701 denotes instruction (command) data from the master apparatus, reference numeral 702 denotes data necessary for processing the instruction, and reference numeral 703 denotes slave apparatus response data to the instruction 701. As shown in FIG. 10, in the 3-wire serial communication, one slave device is specified by the CS signal, and each transaction is clearly delimited. That is, only the slave device specified by the CS signal is effective as the slave device of the three-wire serial communication.

  However, in the configuration in which the slave device for 2-wire serial communication and the slave device for 3-wire serial communication as described above are connected on the same communication bus as shown in FIG. 7, the slave device for 2-wire serial communication is used. May cause malfunction. That is, when the same bit pattern as the SOF 501, ID 502, and command 803 of the two-wire serial communication shown in FIG. 8 exists in the transmission data 702 and response data 703 in the three-wire serial communication shown in FIG. A slave device for two-wire serial communication connected to the same bus as a slave device for three-wire serial communication may malfunction. That is, the slave device of the two-wire serial communication is made effective by the SOF 501 and the ID 502 subsequent thereto. For this reason, when the same bit pattern exists in the communication related to the slave device of the three-wire serial communication, the slave device of the two-wire serial communication having the ID becomes effective and may cause a malfunction. . On the contrary, the slave device of the three-wire serial communication does not malfunction due to the communication related to the slave device of the two-wire serial communication. This is because the slave device of 3-wire serial communication is enabled by the CS signal as described above, and in communication related to the slave device of 2-wire serial communication, the CS signal for selecting the slave device of 3-wire serial communication is This is because it is never activated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to connect a slave device for 2-wire serial communication and a slave device for 3-wire serial communication on the same communication bus. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink tank, and a data communication system capable of preventing malfunctions in a slave device of 2-wire serial communication.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, an ink jet recording apparatus that uses an ink tank that stores ink and a recording head that discharges ink supplied from the ink tank to perform recording by discharging ink to the recording medium includes an information storage medium. A first slave device that is an ink tank or a recording head selected by an ID data signal, and a second slave device that includes an information storage medium and is an ink tank or a recording head selected by an information storage medium selection signal And a signal connection including a bus for commonly connecting the ink tank and the recording head so that communication can be performed with the main apparatus on the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus using the ink tank and the recording head. The main device is connected to the first slave device via the signal connection structure. In response to the ID data signal, after the ID data signal, the second slave device transmits non-response data for performing a process for not performing a response for a predetermined period including the communication period, and then transmits an information storage medium selection signal to Communication with a second slave device is performed, and the first slave device performs a process of making no response for the predetermined period corresponding to the non-response data.

  In another embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink to a recording medium using an ink tank that stores ink and a recording head that discharges ink supplied from the ink tank includes an information storage medium. A first slave device that is an ink tank or a recording head selected by an ID data signal, and a second slave device that includes an information storage medium and is an ink tank or a recording head selected by an information storage medium selection signal; And a signal connection including a bus for commonly connecting the ink tank and the recording head so that communication can be performed with the main apparatus on the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus using the ink tank and the recording head. The ink tank and the recording head are the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus. A signal connection structure for forming the main device when it is attached to the first slave device, and the second slave device communicates with the first slave device after the ID data signal through the signal connection structure. Non-response data for performing processing that does not perform a response for a predetermined period including a period is transmitted, and thereafter, an information storage medium selection signal is transmitted to perform communication with the second slave device.

An ink tank for storing ink, wherein the ink tank is used in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using a recording head that ejects ink supplied from the ink tank. The ink tank includes an information storage medium and is a first slave device selected by an ID data signal. The ink jet recording device includes the first slave device and the information storage medium and is selected by an information storage medium selection signal. A bus that connects the ink tank and the recording head in common so that communication can be performed between the second slave device that is the recording head and the main device that is the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus. When the ink tank is mounted on the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus A signal connection structure for establishing a response for a predetermined period including a period in which the second slave device communicates after the ID data signal in the communication with the first slave device via the signal connection structure. Non-response data for performing processing that does not perform transmission, and then transmits an information storage medium selection signal to communicate with the second slave device, and the first slave device corresponds to the non-response data Then, a process of not responding for the predetermined period is performed.
.

  Further, between the master device and the first slave device including the information storage medium and selected by the ID data signal, and the second slave device including the information storage medium and selected by the information storage medium selection signal. In a data communication system for performing communication via a signal connection structure including a bus for commonly connecting the first slave device and the second slave device, the master device is configured to transmit the signal via the signal connection structure. In response to the first slave device, after the ID data signal, non-response data for performing a process of not performing a response for a predetermined period including a period in which the second slave device performs communication is transmitted, and then an information storage medium selection signal is transmitted. The first slave device transmits and communicates with the second slave device, and the first slave device performs a process of making no response for the predetermined period corresponding to the non-response data.

  According to the above configuration, the non-response data instructing the first slave device not to respond for a predetermined period is transmitted, and then the second slave device is communicated with the first slave device. Since the slave device performs the process of not responding for the predetermined period corresponding to the non-response data, particularly when the first slave device and the second slave device are connected on the same communication bus, particularly in the predetermined period. It is possible to prevent the first slave device from malfunctioning due to the communication with the second slave device performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the printer 1200 shown with the main body cover 1201 opened, the user can use the recording head unit 1105 and ink tanks 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C (hereinafter, these ink tanks have the same reference numerals). The range in which the carriage 1205 on which the carriage 1205 is mounted and its surroundings can be seen. In this embodiment, when the main body cover 1201 is opened, a sequence in which the carriage 1205 automatically moves to a substantially central position (hereinafter also referred to as “tank replacement position”) shown in FIG. Each ink tank can be replaced at the tank replacement position.

  In the printer of this embodiment, the recording head unit 1105 is provided with a recording head (not shown) in the form of a chip corresponding to each color ink, and the recording head for each color is moved with respect to a recording medium such as paper by moving the carriage 1205. Scanning is performed, and recording is performed by ejecting ink onto the recording medium during this scanning. That is, the carriage 1205 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 1207 extending in the moving direction, and can be moved as described above by the carriage motor and its driving force transmission mechanism. In each of the recording heads corresponding to K, Y, M, and C inks, ink is ejected by the flexible cable 1206 based on the ejection data sent from the control circuit on the main body side. At the same time, the recording head includes an EEPROM in which the information is written, and can communicate with the printer main body by the three-wire serial communication by the common bus connection shown in FIG.

  The printer 1200 is also provided with a paper feed mechanism such as a paper feed roller and a paper discharge roller, and can transport a recording medium (not shown) fed from the automatic paper feeder 1202 to the paper discharge tray 1203. . The carriage 1205 is detachably mounted with a recording head unit 1105 integrally provided with an ink tank holder. On the other hand, each ink tank 1 is detachably attached to the recording head unit 1105 in the form of a cartridge. Installed. That is, the recording head unit 1105 can be attached to the carriage 1205 and the ink tank 1 can be attached to the recording head unit 1105. In this embodiment, the ink tank 1 is attached to and detached from the carriage 1205 via the recording head unit 1105. Is possible.

  In the recording operation, the recording head scans by the above movement, and during that time, ink is ejected from the respective recording heads to the recording medium to perform recording in a region having a width corresponding to the ejection port in the recording head. During scanning, the paper feeding mechanism feeds a predetermined amount of paper according to the width, thereby sequentially recording on the recording medium. In addition, an ejection recovery unit such as a cap is provided at the end of the moving range of the recording head by the carriage movement described above to cover the surface of each recording head on which the ejection port is provided. As a result, the recording head moves to a position where the recovery unit is provided at predetermined time intervals, and performs recovery processing such as preliminary ejection.

  The recording head unit 1105 having the tank holder portion of each ink tank 1 is provided with a connector corresponding to each ink tank, and each connector is a pad of a substrate provided in the ink tank 1 to be mounted. Contact with. As a result, an electrical connection between each LED 1101 and an electronic tag chip (not shown) as an information storage medium and the printer main body side is formed. The electronic tag chip of each ink tank can communicate with the printer main body side by two-wire serial communication with a common bus connection shown in FIG.

  Further, the LED 1101 of each ink tank is controlled to light or blink the LED 1101 of the corresponding ink tank 1 when the remaining amount of ink in each ink tank 1 decreases at the tank replacement position. In the carriage movement range, a first light receiving unit 1210 having a light receiving element is provided in the vicinity of the end opposite to the position where the recovery unit is provided. As a result, each LED 1101 of each ink tank 1 causes the LED 1101 to emit light as the carriage 1205 moves, and each of the carriages 1205 in the carriage 1205 is based on the position of the carriage 1205 when the light is received. The position of the ink tank 1 can be detected. Further, as another example of the control such as turning on the LED, control is performed to turn on the LED 1101 of the ink tank 1 when the ink tank 1 is correctly installed at the tank replacement position. These controls are executed by sending control data (control signals) from the control circuit on the main body side to the respective ink tanks via the flexible cable 1206 in the same manner as the control of ink ejection of the recording head.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit 300 that executes data processing and operation control related to the printer. In the figure, a CPU 1301 executes processing including communication processing described later in accordance with a program stored in a ROM 1303. The RAM 1302 is used as a work area when the CPU 1301 executes processing.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the recording head unit 1105 mounted on the carriage 1205 is for ejecting black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) inks. Each recording head 1105K, 1105Y, 1105M, 1105C having a plurality of ejection openings is provided. The ink tanks 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C are detachably mounted on the holder of the recording head unit 1105 in correspondence with these recording heads. The number of ink colors or the number of ink tanks is not limited to these, and it is needless to say that inks of similar colors may be used.

  As described above, each ink tank 1 is provided with a substrate 1100 provided with an electronic tag chip, LED 1101, its display control circuit, and pads as contact terminals. When the ink tank 1 is correctly mounted on the recording head unit 1105, the pads on the substrate 1100 come into contact with connectors provided corresponding to the ink tanks 1 in the recording head unit 1105. A connector (not shown) provided on the carriage 1205 and a control circuit 1300 on the main body side are signal-connected via a flexible cable 1206. Further, when the recording head unit 1105 is mounted on the carriage 1205, the connector of the carriage 205 and the connector of the recording head unit 105 are signal-connected. With the above connection configuration, signals can be exchanged between the control circuit 1300 on the main body side and each ink tank 1. Further, connection for 2-wire serial communication and 3-wire serial communication by the common bus connection shown in FIG. 7 is also performed.

  Similarly, with respect to the control of each ink discharge in the recording heads 1105K, 1105Y, 1105M, and 1105C, a drive circuit provided in each recording head via the flexible cable 1206, the connector of the carriage 1205, and the connector of the recording head unit. And the like are connected to the control circuit 1300 on the main body side, whereby the control circuit 1300 can control ink ejection and the like in each recording head.

  The first light receiving unit 1210 provided near one end of the moving range of the carriage 1205 receives light emitted from the LED 1101 of the ink tank 1 and outputs a signal corresponding thereto to the control circuit 1300. As described later, the control circuit 1300 can determine the position of each ink tank 1 in the carriage 1205 based on this signal. An encoder scale 1209 is provided along the movement path of the carriage 1205, and an encoder sensor 1211 is provided on the carriage 1205. The detection signal of this sensor is input to the control circuit 1300 via the flexible cable 1206, whereby the moving position of the carriage 1205 can be known. This position information is used for each print head ejection control and is also used in an optical collation process for detecting the ink tank position. Further, the second light emitting / receiving unit 1214 provided in the vicinity of a predetermined position in the moving range of the carriage 1205 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the remaining ink amount of each ink tank 1 mounted on the carriage 1205. Is output to the control circuit 1300. The control circuit 1300 can detect the remaining amount of ink based on this signal.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a circuit of an electronic tag chip provided in an ink tank which is a slave device of 2-wire serial communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the slave device of the two-wire serial communication first checks the bit stream in step 101 until SOF is detected. That is, the processing in step 101 is continued until it is detected that communication from the master device is communication with a slave device of 2-wire serial communication. When the SOF is detected, the bit stream at the position corresponding to the ID is analyzed in step 102, and the ID is detected in step 103. If the ID is detected here, that is, if the communication of this transaction starting with SOF is communication with an ink tank that is a slave device of 2-wire serial communication that executes this processing, it corresponds to a command in step 104. Parse the bitstream.

  In step 113, it is determined whether or not the command analyzed in step 104 is a no-response command. If there is no no-response command, the command is detected at step 105. If a command is detected, the detected command is executed in step 106, and a response process for the main device is performed based on the execution in step 107.

  If a no-response command is detected in step 113, a response process for the no-response command is performed on the main apparatus in step 114, and then a no-response command is executed in step 112. Here, as the response processing in step 114, the main device is notified that a non-response command has been detected, and the main device that has received the command causes a three-wire serial communication transaction to flow on the communication circuit. Also, as another response process, there is a case where nothing is notified to the main apparatus after detecting a no response command.

  If the result of ID detection is “N” in the determination of step 103, that is, if the communication of this transaction starting with SOF is not communication with an ink tank that is a slave device of 2-wire serial communication that executes this processing, step 108 In Step 111, it is determined whether or not a no-response command is detected based on the result. If no response command is detected, the no response command is executed in step 112.

  When a no response command is detected in step 111 or 113, the no response command is executed in step 112. That is, both the two-wire serial communication ink tank in which the ID is detected and the two-wire serial communication ink tank in which the ID is not detected by communication of this transaction starting with SOF are uniformly performed at the same timing as follows. The response command is executed. Specifically, the execution of the no-response command is a process in which no response is made (invalid) during the clock period specified by the transmission data. As a result, even if communication with the slave device (in this embodiment, the recording head) of the three-line serial communication for the specified period is performed after this transaction, the two-wire serial communication connected to the same bus by the communication is performed. It is possible to prevent the slave device (in this embodiment, the ink tank) from malfunctioning.

  After executing no response processing in step 112, after performing WAIT processing for waiting for one transaction time in steps 109 and 110, and after performing response processing in step 107, step 101 of the next transaction is performed. The SOF is detected.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a communication procedure when a slave device of 3-wire serial communication and a slave device of 2-wire serial communication performing the above-described processing in FIG. 3 are connected to the same communication bus.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 851 denotes a transaction in which a no-response command is communicated at a communication timing to a slave device of 2-wire serial communication. On the other hand, a transaction 852 following the transaction 851 indicates communication in a state where the slave device of the two-wire serial communication is not responding to the slave device of the three-wire serial communication.

  In the timing chart shown in FIG. 4, CK is a communication clock for both the slave device for 2-wire serial communication and the slave device for 3-wire serial communication, and CS is an information storage medium selection signal (hereinafter, chip) for the slave device for 3-wire serial communication. D is a bidirectional data signal for the slave device of 2-wire serial communication and the slave device of 3-wire serial communication. Reference numeral 801 denotes an SOF code indicating the start of a two-wire serial communication transaction, 802 denotes an ID designating a specific slave device for two-wire serial communication, and 803 denotes a command for the slave device for two-wire serial communication. This command 803 contains a non-response instruction. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, this command is detected as a non-response command in step 113 or step 111 by each slave device of 2-wire serial communication. Reference numeral 804 denotes transmission data having a meaning as an argument of a non-response instruction, and includes information on the number of clocks that should be non-response. Reference numeral 805 denotes response data for a no-response command.

  In the communication transaction 852 for the slave device of the three-wire serial communication following the transaction 851 for the slave device of the two-wire serial communication, the CS signal becomes a level for selecting one of the slave devices of the three-wire serial communication. By becoming High, one of the slave devices of 3-wire serial communication is selected. Reference numeral 806 denotes a command for the slave device of 3-wire serial communication, 807 denotes transmission data to the slave device of 3-wire serial communication, and 808 denotes response data to the command 806 from the slave device of 3-wire serial communication.

  As described above, during the period of the transaction 852, the slave device for 2-wire serial communication is set in a no-response state for any communication data. Even if the response data 808 includes a bit string that matches the SOF or ID of the slave device of 2-wire serial communication, no response is made during this period. As a result, when the slave device for 2-wire serial communication and the slave device for 3-wire serial communication are connected on the same communication bus, it is possible to prevent malfunction particularly in the slave device for 2-wire serial communication. .

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment relates to a configuration in which an ink tank or a recording head can be attached and detached as a slave device and can be used by replacing them. However, the present invention is applied to this embodiment. Not limited. A slave device in which either or both of the print head and the ink tank are used as pre-installed with respect to the print device, and is widely selected and communicated by a chip selection signal even in a form that cannot be replaced by the user. As described above, the present invention can be applied to any configuration in which a slave device that performs communication by performing selection using an ID data signal without using a chip selection signal is commonly connected to the same bus. It is clear from the explanation.

  Of course, the recording apparatus is not limited to the ink jet recording apparatus. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where an ink ribbon cartridge is used for each color and a tag chip is provided in each cartridge as in the thermal transfer method.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ink tank performs 2-wire serial communication and the recording head performs 3-wire serial communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the ink tank is 3-wire serial communication. Communication may be performed so that the recording head performs two-wire serial communication, or these may be mixed between the ink tank and the recording head.

1 is a perspective view showing an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit 300 that executes data processing and operation control related to the printer shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the circuit of the electronic tag chip | tip provided in the ink tank which is a slave apparatus of 2-wire serial communication which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating an example of a communication procedure when a slave device of 3-wire serial communication and a slave device of 2-wire serial communication that performs the above-described processing in FIG. 3 are connected to the same communication bus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conventional 3-wire serial communication system configured by an ink tank as a slave device and a recording apparatus main body as a main device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a conventional 2-wire serial communication system including an ink tank as a slave device and a recording apparatus main body as a main device. It is a figure which shows the structure which carried out the bus connection of the slave apparatus of 2-wire serial communication, and the slave apparatus of 3-wire serial communication on the same communication line. It is a timing chart which shows the general operation timing of 2-wire serial communication. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing by a slave device of 2-wire serial communication for one transaction of 2-wire serial communication shown in FIG. 8. It is a timing chart which shows the general operation | movement timing of 3-wire serial communication.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Ink tank 1100 Substrate 1301 CPU
1302 RAM
1303 ROM

Claims (8)

In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using an ink tank that stores ink and a recording head that ejects ink supplied from the ink tank.
A first slave device comprising an information storage medium and being an ink tank or print head selected by an ID data signal, and a first slave device comprising an information storage medium and selected by an information storage medium selection signal 2 is a bus that connects the ink tank and the recording head in common so that communication can be performed between the secondary device and the main apparatus that is the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus using the ink tank and the recording head. With signal connection structure including
The master device does not respond via the signal connection structure to perform a process of not performing a response for a predetermined period including a period in which the second slave device communicates after the ID data signal in communication with the first slave device. A process of transmitting data, and then transmitting an information storage medium selection signal to communicate with the second slave device, and the first slave device is not responding for the predetermined period corresponding to the non-response data An ink jet recording apparatus characterized in that In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using an ink tank that stores ink and a recording head that ejects ink supplied from the ink tank.
A first slave device that includes an information storage medium and is an ink tank or recording head selected by an ID data signal, and an ink tank or recording head that includes an information storage medium and is selected by an information storage medium selection signal The ink tank and the recording head are connected in common so that communication can be performed between the second slave device and the main apparatus on the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus using the ink tank and the recording head. A signal connection structure for forming a signal connection including a bus when the ink tank and the recording head are mounted on the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus;
The master device does not respond via the signal connection structure to perform a process of not performing a response for a predetermined period including a period in which the second slave device communicates after the ID data signal in communication with the first slave device. An ink jet recording apparatus that transmits data, and thereafter transmits an information storage medium selection signal to communicate with the second slave apparatus.   The first slave device performs serial communication for each of two types of signals, a clock signal and a data signal, and the second slave device is serial for each of three types of signals: a clock signal, a data signal, and an information storage medium selection signal. The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein communication is performed.   Of the plurality of first slave devices, only the first slave device selected by the ID data responds to the non-response data for a certain period of time and then becomes non-responsive for the predetermined time period. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1.   5. The first slave device that is not selected by the ID data among the plurality of first slave devices does not respond to the non-response data, and thereafter does not respond for the predetermined period. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to 1.   6. The predetermined period is specified by the number of communication clocks, and the first slave device controls a period of no response by counting communication clocks. Inkjet recording device. An ink tank for storing ink, wherein the ink tank is used in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using a recording head that ejects ink supplied from the ink tank.
The ink tank is provided with an information storage medium and is a first slave device selected by an ID data signal,
The inkjet recording apparatus includes the first slave apparatus and an information storage medium, and a second slave apparatus that is a recording head selected by an information storage medium selection signal; and a master apparatus that is a main body side of the inkjet recording apparatus; A signal connection including a bus for commonly connecting the ink tank and the recording head is formed when the ink tank is mounted on the main body side of the ink jet recording apparatus so that communication can be performed between the ink tank and the recording head. A signal connection structure for
The master device does not respond via the signal connection structure to perform a process of not performing a response for a predetermined period including a period in which the second slave device communicates after the ID data signal in communication with the first slave device. A process of transmitting data, then transmitting an information storage medium selection signal to communicate with the second slave device, and the first slave device responding to the non-response data for a predetermined period of time An ink tank characterized by performing. A first slave device comprising an information storage medium and selected by an ID data signal; a second slave device comprising an information storage medium and selected by an information storage medium selection signal; and the master device; In a data communication system for performing communication via a signal connection structure including a bus for commonly connecting a first slave device and the second slave device,
The master device does not respond via the signal connection structure to perform a process of not performing a response for a predetermined period including a period in which the second slave device communicates after the ID data signal in communication with the first slave device. A process of transmitting data, and then transmitting an information storage medium selection signal to communicate with the second slave device, and the first slave device is not responding for the predetermined period corresponding to the non-response data A data communication system.

Images